Why The Nigeria Police Force Should Stabilize The Office Of The Force Public Relations Officer: ACP Hundeyin Reinstated As FPRO
By Olayemi Esan
The unconfirmed news of the redeployment of Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin from the office of the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) has stirred conversations across the media and security community. There was no signal of his removal initially but verbal pronouncement. While redeployments are a routine administrative practice within the Nigeria Police Force, the discussion it has generated raises a broader institutional question: Should the office of the Force Public Relations Officer be changed too frequently?
Administrative redeployments within the Nigeria Police Force are part of the system that keeps the institution dynamic and responsive. They are not inherently punitive, nor should they be interpreted as political victories or defeats. Officers are often reassigned based on operational needs, leadership decisions, and broader organizational restructuring. Therefore, transitions such as the reported redeployment of ACP Benjamin Hundeyin should be understood within this administrative context.
However, beyond the routine nature of redeployments, the strategic importance of the Force Public Relations Officer demands deeper reflection.
The FPRO is not just another appointment within the police hierarchy. The office serves as the institutional voice of the Nigeria Police Force. It is the bridge between the police and the public, between the command structure and the media, and between internal police operations and national perception. In an era where public trust in security institutions is often tested, communication has become as critical as operational effectiveness.
Within the approximately six months he served in the role, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin demonstrated professionalism and loyalty to the institution. He worked within the limits of his office to protect the institutional interests of the Nigeria Police Force and its leadership, including the then Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, and his predecessor in the role, Deputy Commissioner of Police Muyiwa Adejobi. His conduct reflects the professionalism expected of officers entrusted with representing the Force before the public.
Yet the issue at stake goes beyond any individual officer.
For a position as sensitive and strategic as the Force Public Relations Officer, stability is essential. Frequent changes in the office risk undermining consistency in messaging, weakening relationships with the media, and disrupting communication strategies that require time to mature. Effective public relations within a national security institution is built on credibility, familiarity, and trust—qualities that cannot develop overnight.
A Force Public Relations Officer must understand the internal dynamics of the police institution, build professional relationships with journalists across the country, develop communication strategies during crises, and maintain a consistent narrative for the organization. These responsibilities require time and continuity.
This is why it would be institutionally beneficial for the Nigeria Police Force to adopt a more stable tenure system for the office of the FPRO. Allowing officers to serve for a minimum period—such as two years—would provide the continuity necessary to strengthen the Force’s communication architecture.
A two-year tenure would enable the spokesperson to build stronger relationships with media stakeholders, understand the complexities of public perception regarding policing, and develop coherent communication strategies during major security incidents. It would also allow the public to identify and engage with a consistent institutional voice, which strengthens transparency and accountability.
Moreover, stability in the office would enhance institutional memory. Each crisis, press briefing, and media engagement contributes to a learning curve that benefits the Force. When officers are redeployed too quickly, the institution loses the cumulative experience that could improve its communication effectiveness.
The Nigeria Police Force operates in one of the most complex security environments in Africa. From terrorism and banditry to cybercrime and communal conflicts, the institution constantly faces intense public scrutiny. In such circumstances, strategic communication becomes indispensable.
A stable and well-supported Force Public Relations Office is therefore not a luxury but a necessity.
Administrative redeployments will always remain a normal feature of policing institutions worldwide. However, strategic positions that shape public perception—such as the office of the Force Public Relations Officer—should be managed with long-term institutional considerations in mind.
The goal should not be to protect individuals in office, but to strengthen the institution itself. Establishing a reasonable tenure for the FPRO would enhance continuity, professionalism, and public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
Ultimately, strong institutions are built not only through operational strength but also through consistent and credible communication. For the Nigeria Police Force, stabilizing the office of the Force Public Relations Officer could be a small but significant step toward achieving that goal.
This piece was written by Olayemi Esan, a broadcast Journalist and Public Relations practitioner. A member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the MD of Spye Communications Limited (SpyeTV). She can be reached via email yemiesan04@gmail.com or WhatsApp number 08035132961
