Nigeria Police Replace Hundeyin With Okon Placid As Force PRO, Appoint Giwa To Head New Media Office

The Nigeria Police Force has relieved Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin of his duties as the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) in a shake-up at the Force Headquarters.

Hundeyin has been replaced by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid, who will now serve as the new spokesperson of the force, police sources told SaharaReporters.

“Hundeyin has been replaced by Okon Placid; the official announcement will be made later,” a source said.

SaharaReporters learnt that as part of the changes, the police leadership also created a new unit known as the New Media Office to strengthen the force’s digital communication and engagement.

Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ali Giwa has been appointed to head the newly established office.

The development is part of ongoing restructuring within the Nigeria Police Force aimed at enhancing communication, media relations, and public engagement.

On Friday, SaharaReporters reported that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had yet to officially appoint a substantive Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) following the removal of Hundeyin as the NPF spokesperson.

Hundeyin was removed from the position barely six months after he assumed office as the Force spokesperson in September 2025.

His removal followed a series of internal restructuring within the police hierarchy shortly after Disu’s appointment as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Tinubu.

Earlier reports had suggested that a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Aliyu Giwa might emerge as the next Force Public Relations Officer.

However, sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that Giwa had not been appointed as the Force PRO and that his job was limited to handling the police’s social media operations rather than serving as the official spokesperson.

The sources further alleged that attempts were being made in some quarters to mount pressure on the Inspector-General to confirm Giwa for the role, with claims that certain bloggers had been mobilised to push narratives aimed at influencing the decision.

“The Police Force PRO has not been appointed yet. Aliyu Giwa is limited to social media operations and also, a DCP will be appointed to that position,” a top police source previously said.

“By virtue of Giwa’s current position, he is close to bloggers, so he is trying to use them to force Disu to appoint him. That explains the reports you see online.”

Hundeyin’s removal came amid broader leadership adjustments within the police following Disu’s emergence as Inspector-General.

Before his appointment as Force Public Relations Officer, Hundeyin served as spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command. (Sahara reporters)