PROFILE: 10 key facts about new police spokesperson Anthony Placid

The Nigeria Police Force has appointed Anthony Placid as its new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), succeeding Benjamin Hundeyin.

The announcement was made in a statement from the Force Headquarters in Abuja shortly after the swearing-in of the new Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, signalling changes within the leadership structure of the police.

Below are 10 key facts about the new police spokesperson.

1. Birth and origin
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 education
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo.

3. Advanced academic qualifications
Placid later earned a Master of Arts degree in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos and also studied law at the National Open University of Nigeria, Calabar Centre.

4. Entry into the police force
He joined the police in 1996 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Nigeria Police Academy and was commissioned in August 1998.

5. International professional training
Throughout his career, he has participated in several international training programmes, including United Nations peace operations courses and the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding programme in Kenya.

6. International peacekeeping experience
Placid has served in international missions, including 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 worked as an African Union Election Security Adviser.

7. Domestic policing roles
Within Nigeria, he has served in several operational and administrative positions, including Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan and Gembu. He also headed the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State.

8. Senior leadership roles
He has also served as Assistant Commissioner of Police in both Akwa Ibom and Kogi states, among other assignments in the force.

9. Strategic policy training
Placid is a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, having completed the Senior Executive Course 47 and was inducted in December 2025.

10. Personal life and interests
The new police spokesperson is married with children. Outside his official duties, he enjoys listening to music and playing sports such as football, basketball, table tennis and badminton.