Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has felicitated the newly appointed Spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Anthony Okon Placid.
Placid’s appointment was announced by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, Psc, earlier Sunday.
In the congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Eno thanked IGP Tunji Disu for the confidence he has reposed in DCP Okon.
The release noted that the new Police Spokesperson would carry into his new task “the defining elements of the Akwa Ibom identity of excellence in delivery, integrity beyond reproach, strength and firmness in humility, loyalty without question and the advancement of the mandate of the IGP in line with President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, vision for the Nigerian Police Force.”
“On behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, I congratulate you on this national assignment given to you by the IGP.
“I wish you God’s speed and to Him alone be the glory!” the release added.
IGP Appoints new PPRO
The new Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu has appointed Anthony Placid as the new Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), replacing Benjamin Hundeyin.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.
The appointment effectively puts to rest recent media speculation about the alleged removal of the former police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, which had circulated widely on online platforms without official confirmation.
Reports trending on Thursday, March 5, 2026, had suggested that Hundeyin had been removed from office despite the absence of any formal announcement by police authorities.
However, confirming the development in a statement issued on Sunday, the outgoing Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, described DCP Placid as a seasoned officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping.
Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Placid hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo and a Master of Arts degree in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos.
He also studied Law at the National Open University of Nigeria, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree.
Placid was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy, Kano, in 1996, and was commissioned in August 1998.
Over the years, he has attended several professional and international training programmes, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), where he received certifications in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Civilian Protection.
He also participated in the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding Course in Kenya.
Throughout his career, Placid has served in several strategic positions within and outside Nigeria.
His previous roles include Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Adamawa State; PPRO at the Police Staff College, Jos; Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan; and Head of Training and Development at the United Nations Mission in Darfur.
He also served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Federal Housing, Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan and Gembu, and as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State.
Additionally, he held the position of African Union Election Security Adviser.
Other assignments include serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States, Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Intelligence Department in Abia State, and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters in Yola.
DCP Placid is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer.
He is also a trainer for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on International Humanitarian Law.
The new police spokesperson is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, where he was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on December 13, 2025.
DCP Placid is married with children and enjoys listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis and badminton, as well as engaging with people.
