Police Clarify Tinted Glass Permit Rules, Warn Against Extortion and Misinformation

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has clarified the legal requirements governing the use of tinted vehicle glass, warning motorists against misinformation while cautioning police officers against harassing or extorting road users over tinted glass permits.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, made the clarification in a public message aimed at educating Nigerians on the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act and the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy.

According to the police spokesperson, the law does not prohibit the use of factory-fitted or aftermarket tinted glass but requires vehicle owners to obtain a valid permit from the Nigeria Police Force before using such vehicles on public roads. He explained that the permit enables security agencies to identify legitimate users of tinted vehicles while helping to curb criminal activities often perpetrated with heavily tinted vehicles.

Iniedu stressed that motorists with valid permits should not be harassed at checkpoints, police stations or any other police formation across the country. He warned that no police officer is authorised to demand illegal payments or extort motorists under the guise of enforcing the tinted glass policy. Any officer found engaging in such misconduct, he said, would face disciplinary action.

Addressing concerns over penalties, the Force spokesman noted that the law prescribes a fine of ₦2,000, a prison term of up to six months, or both upon conviction by a competent court for violations of the Act. He emphasized that enforcement must follow due legal process and that police officers cannot arbitrarily impose penalties on motorists.

The police urged vehicle owners requiring tinted glass permits to process their applications through approved Nigeria Police channels and advised members of the public to report any case of extortion or misconduct by officers to the Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU).

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and lawful enforcement of the tinted glass regulations while urging motorists to comply with the law in the interest of public safety and national security.