The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday announced that enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy will resume on January 2, 2026, citing a surge in vehicle-related crimes.
Force spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin made the announcement in a statement, explaining that the decision “follows a careful review of emerging security concerns and the need to ensure the safety of all citizens.”
Hundeyin clarified that no court order has restrained the police from enforcing the law on tinted glasses. He added that the temporary suspension in October was a voluntary measure, intended to give motorists time to regularise their documents amid ongoing legal challenges.
“Recent trends, however, reveal a disturbing rise in criminal activities perpetrated with the aid of vehicles fitted with unauthorised tinted glass,” the statement read. “Some individuals and organised criminal groups have exploited this gap to conceal their identities and facilitate crimes ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping and other violent offences.”
He quoted Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun as assuring that the enforcement would be conducted professionally, with respect for citizens’ rights and in accordance with the law.
Hundeyin urged motorists needing permits to apply through approved channels to ensure compliance.
The temporary suspension of the policy in October was reportedly also influenced by consideration for Nigerians and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Hundeyin reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to enforcing all existing laws fairly, transparently, and in collaboration with key stakeholders in the justice system.
The NBA had in September filed a lawsuit against IGP Egbetokun, challenging the legality of the tinted glass permit policy and describing it as illegal and a violation of citizens’ rights.
The tinted glass permit scheme was introduced in April 2025, requiring vehicle owners to apply for annual motor tinted glass permits through an official platform for a stipulated fee.
However, during its National Executive Council (NEC) pre-conference meeting on August 23, 2025, the NBA resolved to challenge the policy in court, citing concerns over the validity of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act (Decree 1991), a military-era law under which the Police has based the policy.
