| 📍The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has officially resumed enforcement of tinted glass permit regulations across the country, with authorities clarifying that no court order is in place to restrain the exercise — putting an end to months of uncertainty that followed a 2024 legal challenge against the policy.
In a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on December 15, the police said the resumption follows “a thorough review of legal processes” and confirmation that the earlier court case filed by a coalition of transport unions had been dismissed for lack of merit.
“Contrary to rumors circulating in some quarters, there is currently no restraining court order preventing the police from enforcing tinted glass permit requirements,” Adejobi said. “Drivers are hereby advised to ensure they have valid permits issued by the appropriate state authorities before operating vehicles with tinted windows on public roads.
” Enforcement teams have already been deployed to major highways, city centers, and checkpoints in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, with officers conducting visual inspections and verifying permit documentation.
The statement added that defaulters will face penalties ranging from N50,000 in fines to immediate impoundment of their vehicles, depending on the severity of the violation.
The tinted glass policy, first introduced in 2019, restricts the use of dark-tinted windows on private and commercial vehicles to enhance security and curb criminal activities — including kidnapping, armed robbery, and the transportation of illegal goods. Permits are only granted to specific categories of individuals, such as government officials, diplomatic staff, and medical personnel, after a rigorous background check.
A 2024 legal challenge by the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Association of Commercial Vehicle Owners (ACVO) had temporarily halted enforcement, with the plaintiffs arguing the policy was “excessive and discriminatory” against ordinary citizens. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in November 2025 that the policy was “in line with national security interests” and dismissed the case.
Speaking to Channels Television, Lagos State Police Commissioner Idowu Owohunwa said officers have been trained to avoid harassment during checks. “We are not targeting any group — this is a nationwide exercise to ensure compliance with the law,” he said.
“Drivers who do not have permits can apply for them at their state’s motor vehicle administration offices within 30 days to avoid penalties.
” The resumption has drawn mixed reactions from the public: while some commuters have welcomed the move as a step toward improving security, others have raised concerns about potential abuse by police officers and the cost of obtaining permits, which ranges from N15,000 to N50,000 depending on the vehicle type. Â
