The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said that the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, empowers it to render specialised services to the public at a fee, including the issuance of permits for the use of tinted glass in vehicles.
The clarification followed a report that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had taken the Inspector-General of Police to court over the policy. The Force explained that Section 26(e) and (f) of the Police Act provides the legal basis for charging processing fees tied to the service, adding that such funds also cover maintenance of digital infrastructure.
Quoting the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, the Police said: “Section 2(3a) empowers the Inspector-General of Police or any person duly authorised by him to grant or approve the permit. Furthermore, Section 1(2) of the same Act provides that an applicant must show good cause either on health grounds or for security reasons before the use of tinted glass can be approved.”
The Force stressed that the regulation is aimed at tackling violent crimes, noting that tinted permits are “a critical tool for curbing violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, and one chance operations.”
The Police also pointed to successes recorded through its Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), saying the platform has helped in tracing and recovering stolen vehicles across the country.
Rejecting claims that the policy is illegal or lacking transparency, the Force described such allegations as “a calculated attempt to cast aspersions on the image, integrity, and lawful operations of the Force.”
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirmed the commitment of the NPF to professionalism, rule of law, and the protection of citizens’ rights. He further assured that the Force remains dedicated to “the relentless pursuit of a safer and more secure nation for all and above all, transparency.”
