The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has appointed Deputy Commissioner Anthony Placid Okon as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO).
Okon replaces Assistant Commissioner Benjamin Hundeyin, who was appointed by the now-retired IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.
His state governor, Pastor Umo Eno has already congratulated the newly Police spokesperson.
In a statement, Hundeyin described Okon as ‘a seasoned officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping’.
Born on 2 December 1970 in Uyo, the Akwa State capital, Okon hails from Mbiokporo Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos, and an LL.B from the National Open University of Nigeria.
He joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy in Kano in 1996 and was commissioned in August 1998. Okon has attended numerous professional and international courses, including United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training and the UNITAR Senior Leadership and Peacebuilding course in Kenya. He holds certifications in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection.
Okon has served in key positions both within Nigeria and internationally. His roles include Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State, PPRO at the Police Staff College in Jos, Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan, Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur, Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu, Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State, African Union Election Security Adviser, and Assistant Commissioner of Police in operations and intelligence across Akwa Ibom, Kogi, and Abia States.
He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, a Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer, and an International Committee of the Red Cross Trainer on International Humanitarian Law. Okon is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, and was inducted as a member of the National Institute on 13 December 2025.
He is married, has children and enjoys listening to music, playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and engaging with people.
In a message on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Eno thanked Disu for the confidence he has reposed in Okon, noting that he 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’s vision for the Nigerian Police Force’.
‘On behalf of the government and the 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 governor said to the new FPRO.
