Police Silence on Tinted Glass Permit Deadline Sparks Nationwide Anxiety Among Motorists

As the August 12 deadline for tinted glass permit regularization approaches, the Nigeria Police Force’s continued silence on enforcement plans has created widespread apprehension among vehicle owners across the country. Investigations reveal growing concerns that the impending policy implementation may lead to fresh waves of police extortion and harassment at checkpoints.

The controversial permit system, reactivated on May 1, 2025 through a digital platform, was initially designed to enhance national security by tracking vehicles with tinted windows often used by criminals. After public outcry over implementation challenges, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun extended the compliance window to August 12 to accommodate motorists in rural areas and those facing technological barriers.

However, with just 48 hours remaining before the deadline, the police hierarchy has failed to provide clear enforcement guidelines, leaving millions of motorists in limbo. Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, when contacted, offered only a vague promise that “we will speak on it soon,” deepening public skepticism about the exercise.

Multiple motorists who spoke with our correspondents expressed frustration over the perceived insensitivity of the policy, particularly given Nigeria’s current economic hardships. Oladimeji Armstrong, a Lagos-based car owner, condemned the N16,000 permit fee as “sheer wickedness” when citizens are struggling with skyrocketing fuel prices and electricity tariffs.

“President Tinubu should stop this conscienceless extortion,” Armstrong fumed. “Will tinted permits solve the banditry and terrorism ravaging our nation? This is just another scheme to milk suffering Nigerians.”

In Kano, motorist Luqman Ibrahim questioned the priority given to tint enforcement over more pressing security challenges: “Does a terrorist need tinted glass to strike? Our security agencies should focus on real threats rather than harassing innocent citizens.”

Some vehicle owners like Wale Daniel are considering complete tint removal to avoid police trouble, while others like Samuel admit to deliberately avoiding routes with security checkpoints. Jamiu Azeez, another concerned motorist, criticized the police communication gap: “They should be sending reminders, not keeping everyone in suspense. We all know how they operate – this silence breeds fear of mass extortion.”

The 2025 tinted glass policy revival follows years of public complaints about police abuse of similar regulations. While authorities promise disciplinary action against erring officers, many Nigerians remain unconvinced, recalling past experiences of systemic extortion under such schemes.