The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced that it will recommence nationwide enforcement of the tinted glass permit regulation from January 2, 2026, citing growing security threats linked to the misuse of vehicles with darkened windows.
In a statement released on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the decision followed an internal assessment of recent crime patterns, which revealed that unauthorised tinted vehicles are increasingly being used to facilitate criminal activities.
According to the police, the renewed enforcement is aimed at strengthening public safety and curbing the activities of criminal networks that take advantage of obscured vehicle windows to evade identification.
Hundeyin explained that incidents ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping and other violent offences have been traced to vehicles fitted with illegal tinted glass.
He clarified that contrary to public speculation, there is no court order preventing the police from enforcing the tinted glass law.
Instead, the Force had earlier chosen to temporarily halt enforcement in October 2025 to allow motorists sufficient time to regularise their documentation, following concerns raised during an ongoing legal dispute.
“The temporary suspension was a voluntary step taken in the interest of the public and key stakeholders,” Hundeyin noted, adding that the pause was partly influenced by engagements with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other concerned groups.
Reaffirming the position of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the police spokesperson assured Nigerians that the enforcement exercise would be carried out professionally and within the bounds of the law.
He stressed that officers have been instructed to respect citizens’ rights and avoid abuses while carrying out their duties.
Motorists whose vehicles have factory-fitted or aftermarket tinted glass were advised to obtain the required permits through officially approved police channels before the January deadline to avoid sanctions.
The tinted glass permit policy has remained a contentious issue in recent months.
In September 2025, the Nigerian Bar Association filed a lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police, describing the policy as unlawful and an infringement on citizens’ rights.
The association has also questioned the continued application of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, a decree enacted during the military era, which forms the legal basis for the regulation.
Earlier in April 2025, the police had rolled out a new framework requiring motorists to apply for annual tinted glass permits through a dedicated online platform, with stipulated fees attached.
This move sparked widespread debate and legal scrutiny, culminating in the temporary suspension of enforcement later in the year.
Despite the controversy, the police leadership insisted that the policy remains valid and necessary in the face of rising insecurity.
Hundeyin reiterated the Force’s commitment to enforcing all existing laws with fairness, transparency, and accountability, while continuing dialogue with stakeholders in the justice sector.
As the January 2026 deadline approaches, motorists across the country are being urged to comply with the regulations to avoid penalties when enforcement resumes.
