Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Police Force has seized no fewer than 210 vehicles across six states during the enforcement of the ban on unauthorised tinted glass use, despite a Federal High Court order temporarily suspending the operation.
The court, sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Friday, directed the police and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to suspend the ongoing enforcement of the tinted glass permit regulation pending further proceedings.
The order, delivered in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, was issued after legal practitioner John Aikpokpo-Martins challenged the legality of the new tinted permit enforcement policy.
The court directed the police to “respect judicial processes and maintain the status quo” until the substantive matter is resolved.
Confirming the development, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kunle Edun, who led the petitioner’s legal team, described the ruling as “a crucial step in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld while the substantive issues are determined.”
In April 2025, the police resumed the issuance of tinted glass permits nationwide through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project (POSSAP) after a two-year suspension. The announcement sparked public criticism, with motorists expressing concerns about harassment, extortion, and the fairness of penalising vehicles with factory-fitted tinted windows.
Initially, the IGP set an August 12 deadline for motorists to obtain permits, later extending it to October 2. The police maintained that the policy was backed by the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991 and justified it on national security grounds.
However, reports from several states indicate that enforcement continued even after the court’s suspension order.
In Borno State, the police impounded around 30 vehicles. The command’s spokesperson, Nahum Daso, confirmed the seizures and stated that the command was awaiting further directives from Force Headquarters on whether to halt the operation.
In Akwa Ibom, 88 cars were impounded for lacking tinted glass permits. The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Timfon John, said 283 vehicles had been inspected in total, with 195 released after their owners presented valid documentation, while the remaining 88 were under investigation.
In Gombe, a police source disclosed that officers had impounded 20 vehicles since the operation began, noting that the command would pause further action pending guidance from Abuja following the court order.
Similarly, the Jigawa State Police Command confirmed the seizure of 20 vehicles, both private and commercial, on the first day of enforcement. Command spokesman Shi’isu Adam urged motorists to comply with permit regulations but said he was not aware of the court’s suspension order.
In Kano, the command’s spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said enforcement decisions were beyond the jurisdiction of the state command and referred inquiries to the Police Headquarters in Abuja.
In Sokoto State, 27 vehicles were seized during the week-long operation, according to command spokesman Ahmed Rufai, who said 15 vehicles were impounded on Thursday and another 12 on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Yobe State Police Command announced plans to begin enforcing the ban on covered number plates and unauthorised tinted glass use on October 6, 2025. The command’s spokesman, Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed that the operation would align with directives from Force Headquarters.
The ongoing enforcement, despite the court’s restraining order, has reignited public debate over police accountability, constitutional compliance, and the rights of motorists.
Legal experts say the situation underscores the need for greater coordination between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to prevent breaches of due process while addressing legitimate security concerns.
About The Author
