9 key things to know about new Police PRO, Anthony Placid

The Nigeria Police Force has named Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid as its new Force Public Relations Officer, taking over from Benjamin Hundeyin.

The announcement was made on Sunday in a statement issued from the Force Headquarters in Abuja and signed by the outgoing spokesperson, Hundeyin.

Placid’s appointment comes only a few days after the swearing-in of the new Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, a move many observers believe is part of wider changes within the police leadership.

Here are 10 key things to know about him;

1. Birth

Anthony Placid was born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. He is from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state.

2. Education

He studied at the University of Uyo where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning.

Placid later went to the University of Jos where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Law and Diplomacy.

He also studied law at the National Open University of Nigeria, Calabar Study Centre, where he pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree.

3. Force career

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

4. Professional courses

During his career, he attended several professional and international courses, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training programme.

Through the programme, he received certifications in 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.

5. Leadership roles

Placid has also served in different international roles. He worked as Chief of Training at the African Union Mission in Sudan and later served as Head of Training and Development at the United Nations Mission in Darfur.

He also worked as an African Union Election Security Adviser.

6. Family

The new police spokesperson is married with children and enjoys listening to music. He also likes playing football, basketball, table tennis and badminton.

8. Certified courses

Placid is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (mni) on December 13, 2025.

9. Positions held

Within Nigeria, he has held several positions in the police force.

He served as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and also worked as Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan and Gembu.

He was also Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State. In addition, he served as Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States and as Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Intelligence Department in Abia State.