The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has begun enforcement against vehicles operating with unauthorised tinted glass, covered number plates and improper registration, as part of efforts to strengthen security across Abuja.
The command said the exercise follows growing concerns that criminals are using such vehicles to evade detection and carry out offences including kidnapping, one-chance robberies and other violent crimes within the capital city.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, said the operation was not designed to inconvenience law-abiding residents but to deny criminals the cover they often exploit to commit crimes.
As part of the enforcement exercise, the command disclosed that more than 30 vehicles had already been impounded, while their owners would be prosecuted in accordance with relevant laws and road transport regulations.
The latest action comes amid lingering debate over the tinted glass permit policy introduced under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
In April 2025, the Nigeria Police Force reactivated the issuance of tinted glass permits through a digital platform. The police said the initiative was intended to address complaints from motorists driving vehicles with factory-fitted tinted windows while strengthening security oversight.
Under the system, applicants were required to undergo identity verification using their National Identification Number (NIN), Tax Identification Number (TIN), biometric capture and background checks.
However, the policy sparked widespread public debate. Many motorists reported delays in processing applications, difficulties accessing the online portal and concerns that the process could create fresh opportunities for extortion by law enforcement officers.
Civil society groups and legal practitioners also raised questions about aspects of the implementation and the legality of some charges associated with obtaining the permits.
In response to the concerns, the police repeatedly extended enforcement deadlines to allow improvements to the application process and accommodate a surge in applications across the country.
The matter later moved to the courts, with several legal challenges filed against the policy. Court orders issued in late 2025 restrained the police from enforcing the tinted glass permit requirement pending the determination of substantive suits.
Among the concerns raised by litigants and the Nigerian Bar Association were allegations that enforcement could lead to harassment, arbitrary arrests and extortion of motorists.
Following the court actions, the Nigeria Police Force suspended nationwide enforcement of the permit requirement in January 2026 while seeking legal clarification and pursuing further remedies.
Despite the legal disputes, police authorities have maintained that unauthorised tinted vehicles remain a major security concern, arguing that kidnappers, armed robbers and one-chance operators frequently use them to conceal their identities and activities.
The FCT Police Command said the latest enforcement drive reflects its determination to strengthen security in the capital, even as discussions continue over how to balance public safety, motorists’ rights and the regulation of tinted vehicles.
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