By Kelvin Ololo
The Cross River State Police Command has received a new Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, following his deployment to the state.
The appointment, which is expected to strengthen financial discipline, administrative coordination and overall service delivery within the Command was made known by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata in a press release on Friday 9 January, 2026.
According to ASP Sunday Eitokpah, DCP Placid is a highly experienced senior officer with a broad professional background spanning administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping assignments.
Before his redeployment to Cross River State, DCP Placid served in several strategic roles within and outside Nigeria. These include Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola; Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Department, Abia State and African Union Election Security Adviser.
He also held key international positions such as Chief of Training at the African Union Mission in Sudan and Head of Training and Development at the United Nations Mission in Darfur.
His policing career covers roles as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State and at the Police Staff College, Jos; Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan and Gembu and as well as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State.
DCP Placid was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy, Kano, in 1996 and was commissioned in August 1998. He has undergone extensive local and international training, including the United Nations Peace Operations Specialized Training (POST), with certifications in Police and Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Civilian Protection.
Academically, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos, and a Bachelor of Laws from the National Open University of Nigeria. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute (MNI) on December 13, 2025.
Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, DCP Placid hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
DCP Placid is married with children and enjoys sports, music and social engagement.
ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata added that the Commissioner of Police, officers and men of the Cross River State Command have warmly welcomed the new Deputy Commissioner, expressing confidence that his vast experience will positively impact the Command’s financial management and administrative effectiveness.