By Achile Danjuma
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved the appointment of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ali Giwa as the new Force New Media Officer. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering the Nigeria Police Force’s digital communication capabilities and enhancing public engagement.
The appointment was confirmed by the immediate past Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, via a post on his X handle on Sunday. “Equally, the IGP has approved the appointment of CSP Ali Giwa @aleeygiwa as Force New Media Officer,” Hundeyin wrote.
This newly created role is part of a dedicated New Media Office established at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The unit is designed to modernize the police’s digital outreach, improve public awareness of its activities, and foster a more transparent relationship with the community through online platforms.
CSP Ali Giwa brings a wealth of experience to his new position, combining over 15 years of distinguished service in the Nigeria Police Force with specialized expertise in law enforcement, public order management, cybercrime investigation, and cybersecurity.
Most recently, Giwa served as a Cybersecurity Specialist at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center in Abuja. His diverse career also includes a tenure as Police Assistant to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in the Department of Logistics and Supply from September 2023 to December 2024.
Giwa is no stranger to public communication and engagement. He has previously served as the Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria Police Cooperative Multi-Purpose Society Limited and as the Assistant Police Public Relations Officer at the Obalende Annex in Lagos. He also held the position of Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command.
Beyond his public relations roles, Giwa has gained extensive operational experience across various police formations in Lagos, serving as a Crime Officer, Surveillance Officer, and Human Rights Officer. His new role is expected to leverage this multifaceted background to drive the Force’s digital communication strategy.
The appointment of CSP Giwa follows closely on the heels of the IGP’s recent approval of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer. DCP Placid succeeds Benjamin Hundeyin as the official spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force.
According to a statement from Force Headquarters, DCP Placid is a seasoned officer with a broad range of experience in administration, operations, intelligence, and training, as well as international peacekeeping missions.
A native of Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, DCP Placid was born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos.
These concurrent appointments signal a concerted effort by the Inspector-General of Police to inject specialized expertise into the Force’s communications apparatus, ensuring both traditional media and digital platforms are effectively utilized to connect with the public.