Abuja: The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr. Olatunji Disu, has announced that the Nigeria Police Force will not permit fully tinted vehicles on the country’s roads and plans to commence enforcement against such vehicles. This announcement was made during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association, led by its President, Mr. Afam Osigwe, SAN, in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Disu expressed his concerns about the security implications of tinted vehicles, highlighting that when he served as the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a significant number of vehicles used in criminal activities, such as kidnappings and ‘one chance’ operations, were found to be tinted. He noted that out of 27 vehicles recovered from such criminals, 26 had tinted windows.
Mr. Disu emphasized the potential dangers fully tinted vehicles pose to police officers and other security personnel as they obstruct visibility, making it difficult to identify the occupants. He argued that public cooperation is essential in safeguarding security officers and ensuring effective service delivery. The I-G clarified that the law permits vehicle tinting only for security and medical reasons and that even in these cases, excessively dark tinting is prohibited.
Furthermore, Mr. Disu addressed the issue of video recording police officers on duty, stating that such actions could demoralize officers amidst ongoing security challenges. He urged the public to be considerate, as the police are actively working to end impunity within their ranks and among the public.
The I-G also discussed the role of sureties in police procedures, emphasizing that women could serve as sureties and that there is no requirement for a surety to be a level 14 officer in public service.
During the meeting, Mr. Osigwe stated that the NBA supports the regulation of tinted glass permits but opposes turning the approval process into a revenue-generating exercise. He stressed the need to ensure that the law permits only those types of tinted glass that allow visibility of vehicle occupants. The NBA president also called for collaboration among police, lawyers, law enforcement agencies, and the courts to foster a well-secured society and improve public confidence in these institutions.