All Existing Duly Issued Tinted Permits Remain Valid—IGP

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Following public enquiries on a recent directive, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Alkali Baba, has clarified that all existing vehicle tinted glass permits, duly issued by the Nigeria Police Force, remain valid.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr Frank Mba, said those with existing tinted glass permit are not affected by the IGP’s order of Monday, June 7, 2021.

Mr Baba had announced the suspension of issuance of new tinted permits to vehicle owners during a meeting with senior police officers in Abuja.

According to him, the move was part of efforts to streamline the process of issuance and usage in line with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, which is explicit on conditions for the use of vehicles with tinted glasses in Nigeria.

This is in addition to, among other things, effectively address contemporary security challenges associated with the usage of tinted glasses by criminal elements who hide under the cover of tinted vehicles to carry out their nefarious activities.

He had also said the suspension, which is a temporary measure, will remain in force pending the release of a new protocol that would regulate the issuance of tinted permits for vehicle owners and operators in the country.

Since the order was given, some motorists in the country have complained that policemen stop them on the road, accusing them of using a tinted glass despite the police chief’s directive.

In a similar vein, the IGP has stressed that existing SPY number plates must be used by authorized users, for purposes and vehicles specified by law while issuance of new SPY number plates remain on hold pending the release of a new protocol that would guide its issuance and usage in the country.

Meanwhile, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), to give full effect to the directives.

He specifically directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use by unauthorised users or fitted to unauthorized vehicles, are retrieved with immediate effect.

Mr Baba, however, warned that while carrying out these assignments, officers must ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.

He urged members of the public to cooperate with the law enforcement officers in this regard as the moves are aimed at strengthening our internal security order.