The Nigeria Police Force has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid as its new Force Public Relations Officer, succeeding Benjamin Hundeyin, who announced the development in a statement on Sunday from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The appointment comes shortly after the swearing-in of new Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, signalling a significant shake-up in the leadership structure of the force.

Here are 10 things to know about the new police spokesperson:

1. Place of birth

He is from Akwa Ibom State Placid was born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

2. University attended

He is a University of Uyo alumnus He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo, his home state university.

3. Academic qualifications

He holds postgraduate and law degrees Placid extended his academic pursuits beyond his first degree, obtaining 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, Calabar Centre, where he pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree.

4. Enlistment in Police Force

He joined the police force in 1996 Placid was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Nigeria Police Academy in 1996 and was formally commissioned in August 1998, giving him nearly three decades of service in the force.

5. International training

He has extensive international training He has attended several professional and international courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training, with certifications spanning Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection. He also completed the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding course in Kenya.

6. UN and AU mission

He served in UN and African Union missions Placid has a distinguished record of international service, having served as Chief of Training at the African Union Mission in Sudan and Head of Training and Development at the United Nations Mission in Darfur. He also served as an African Union Election Security Adviser.

7. Previous roles

He has held diverse domestic postings Within Nigeria, Placid has served across multiple states and roles, including as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State, Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu, and Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State. He also served as Assistant Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States, among other postings.

8. Member of NIPSS

He is a member of NIPSS Placid is a graduate of Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute on December 13, 2025.

9. Family

He is married with children and has varied sporting interests On the personal side, Placid is married with children.

10. Interests

Away from official duties, he enjoys listening to music and playing football, basketball, table tennis, and badminton. (Vanguard)

Update news