Police Backtracks On Tinted Glass Permit To Curb Insecurity

The Nigerian Police Force, NPF, has reintroduced the tinted glass permit for vehicle owners in the country.

This was made known by Muyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Force spokesman in a statement he shared on his X handle on Thursday.

According to him, the force aimed to curb insecurity and criminal activities in the country through the permit.

Recall that the Force had in 2022 bared its men from demanding for tinted glass permit from motorists following serious complaints of harassment by not a few Nigerians that some policemen have turned it to a money-spinning business.

Recently too, some four police officers were charged in Lagos for demanding the permit from motorists.

But in the statement titled: Internal Security: Police Review Issuance of Tinted Glass Permit; Trains ICT Analysts, Enforcement Officers Nationwide For Compliance,” the force said “ICT Analysts and Enforcement Officers with the necessary skills and knowledge” will now be trained  “to regulate the registration process,” to make enforcement seamless.

Below the statement in full:

NTERNAL SECURITY: POLICE REVIEWS ISSUANCE OF TINTED GLASS PERMIT; TRAINS ICT ANALYSTS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS NATIONWIDE FOR COMPLIANCE.

In a bid to enhance national security and curb criminal activities facilitated by the misuse of tinted glass, the Nigeria Police Force has concluded its review of the issuance of tinted glass permits, previously banned in June 2022. The ban was initiated due to widespread concerns regarding the role of tinted glass in aiding heinous crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, the illegal transportation of firearms, human trafficking etc.

With the proposed lifting of the ban, stringent measures are being implemented to prevent abuse and ensure strict compliance with guidelines governing the issuance and use of tinted glass permits. ICT Analysts and Enforcement Officers nationwide will undergo a comprehensive training scheduled for the 29th of February, 2024, as a prequel to the reopening of tinted glass permit issuance.

The training will equip ICT Analysts and Enforcement Officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to regulate the registration process, guide registrants on the use of the portal where required, attend to complaints from members of the public, and enforce compliance effectively. It will focus on the intricacies of the new guidelines, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between public safety and individual freedoms while safeguarding national security.

The proposed tinted glass permit will incorporate distinctive features aimed at enhancing enforcement efficiency and security. These include a QR code linked to a central database for real-time verification, unique serial numbers correlated with vehicle and owner details, as well as a digital hologram ensuring authenticity and integrity, among other measures.

It is crucial to highlight that the guidelines for the issuance of tinted permits and the use of tinted glass will strictly adhere to the provisions of the MOTOR VEHICLES (PROHIBITION OF TINTED GLASS) ACT 1991 and other relevant extant laws. This strategic approach underscores the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to prioritize public safety while upholding individual rights and national security interests.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to providing updates to the general public on the implementation of the reviewed process of tinted glass permit issuance, ensuring transparency and accountability in its efforts to maintain internal security.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FORCE HEADQUARTERS,

ABUJA