The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced that he will no longer take photographs with random individuals following the misuse of one of his photos in a fraud-related documentary.
The decision comes after a viral documentary about suspected fraudsters who allegedly defrauded a Romanian woman of $2.5 million featured a photo of one of the suspects posing with the IGP in his official uniform. The development sparked conversations online, with analysts noting that some fraudsters deliberately seek photo opportunities with high-profile figures to create a false sense of legitimacy.
The documentary reportedly also displayed images of the suspects posing with other notable Nigerians, including businessmen and entertainers.
Speaking at a recent public event, Egbetokun clarified that his refusal to take photos going forward should not be interpreted as arrogance.
“I would want to apologize to those distinguished individuals whose photo opportunities I have declined. This decision is not driven by pride but by caution at a time when photo opportunities granted at special occasions can be weaponized,” he said.
His statement has since generated discussions about the risks public officials face in open settings and the growing trend of using photographs to falsely validate questionable activities.
