With just 48 hours until the August 12 deadline for motorists to secure or update their tinted glass permits, the Nigeria Police Force has yet to provide clarity on how it intends to enforce the policy, a silence that has left many vehicle owners uneasy.
The renewed enforcement drive dates back to May 1, 2025, when the police relaunched their digital tinted glass permit platform. This followed years of public criticism over alleged abuse, extortion, and arbitrary arrests linked to tinted windows. The online system was introduced to streamline the application process, enhance transparency, and bolster national security by curbing crimes involving vehicles with obscured occupants.
Initially, a 30-day grace period was granted for motorists to comply. At the time, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi assured the public that while enforcement would begin after the grace period, officers involved in extortion or harassment during the exercise would face disciplinary action.
However, after widespread complaints about application delays, poor internet access in rural areas, and other barriers, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun extended the grace period to August 12, promising a more “citizen-friendly” approach.
Now, as the deadline approaches, the lack of updated enforcement guidelines has sparked fresh concerns. Some motorists fear officers may exploit the ambiguity to extort money, citing Nigeria’s history of heavy-handed roadside enforcement.
When contacted on Saturday, Adejobi only stated, “We will speak on it soon.” No further details were provided.
Several motorists who spoke to Sunday PUNCH expressed frustration.
Private car owner Jamiu Azeez criticised the silence, urging the police to provide clear reminders instead of leaving drivers “in suspense.” Another driver, identified as Samuel, said he had been avoiding police checkpoints while awaiting further directives, arguing that the permit should be part of regular vehicle registration rather than a separate paid process.
Others questioned the necessity of the policy altogether. Wale Daniel said he planned to remove his factory-tinted windows to avoid police harassment. Oladimeji Armstrong described the N16,000 permit fee as “insensitive” given Nigeria’s current economic strain, calling on President Bola Tinubu to halt the exercise.
Similarly, Kano-based motorist Luqman Ibrahim argued that police efforts should be directed at tackling more pressing security threats rather than tinted glass regulation.
With no clear enforcement plan announced, uncertainty over what will happen after August 12 continues to grow and for many motorists, the confusion is almost as troubling as the policy itself.
