IGP DISU PUSHES FOR NATIONWIDE BAN ON FULLY TINTED VEHICLES OVER SECURITY CONCERNS

IGP DISU PUSHES FOR NATIONWIDE BAN ON FULLY TINTED VEHICLES OVER SECURITY CONCERNS

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has disclosed that he would support a nationwide ban on fully tinted vehicles if such a decision rested entirely within his authority, citing growing security threats linked to their use across Nigeria.

The police chief made the remarks in Abuja while responding to concerns raised by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), during discussions surrounding the regulation and renewal of tinted glass permits.

According to Disu, heavily tinted vehicles have increasingly become tools used by criminal elements involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, and “one-chance” abduction operations, making it difficult for security agencies to effectively monitor suspicious movements.

He stated that Nigeria’s current security situation demands stricter regulations on vehicles with darkened windows, stressing that unrestricted use of tinted glass poses a serious challenge to law enforcement operations nationwide.

“If I had my way, there would be no vehicle with tinted windows anywhere in this country. Given the security realities we face, we are gradually moving towards stricter control measures,” Disu said.

The NBA had earlier expressed reservations over the renewal and commercialisation of tinted glass permits. NBA President Afam Osigwe argued that while the association supports police oversight and regulation, the process should not be transformed into a revenue-generating system.

Osigwe questioned the need for repeated permit renewals, stating that once a vehicle owner’s information is captured in a database, constant renewals may no longer be necessary.

He also opposed the outsourcing of permit administration to private firms collecting fees on behalf of law enforcement authorities.

However, he maintained that the association supports strict action against vehicles whose tinted windows completely conceal occupants from security personnel.

Responding further, the Inspector-General recalled his experience while serving as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, noting that investigations into criminal syndicates involved in “one-chance” attacks showed that most vehicles used for such operations were fully tinted.

He revealed that out of 27 vehicles recovered during operations against the criminal groups, a large percentage had heavily darkened windows, reinforcing the connection between excessive tinting and criminal activities.

Disu also criticised the growing trend of motorists installing extremely dark tints on windscreens and rear windows, describing it as dangerous and unacceptable from a security perspective.

According to him, such modifications make it difficult for security officers to identify vehicle occupants during routine stop-and-search operations, increasing risks faced by officers in the line of duty.

The police boss clarified that only individuals with legitimate security or medical reasons are legally permitted to use tinted glass, and even in such cases, the level of tinting must not completely obstruct visibility.

He announced that the Nigeria Police Force would soon intensify nationwide enforcement against illegally tinted vehicles as part of broader efforts to strengthen internal security.

“We are not going to accept fully tinted vehicles in this country, and at the appropriate time, enforcement operations will begin nationwide,” he added.

The latest comments come amid ongoing debates between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Bar Association regarding the legality, administration, and regulation of tinted glass permits across the country.