Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has announced plans to enforce a ban on fully tinted vehicles across Nigeria, citing rising security risks. He made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation from the Nigerian Bar Association led by its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN. Disu said vehicles with heavily tinted windows, including windshields and rear screens, are increasingly being used by criminals to evade detection. He recalled that during his tenure as Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, 26 out of 27 vehicles recovered from "one chance" operators were fully tinted.
Disu stated that the current trend of extreme window tinting puts police officers and other security personnel at risk during routine checks. He emphasized that visibility into vehicles is essential for officer safety, particularly in a country facing ongoing security challenges. According to him, only limited tinting is legally permitted for medical or security reasons, but many now exploit loopholes by creating small viewing holes beside the driver's seat. He condemned the practice, noting that kidnappers and other criminals have used such vehicles to pass through checkpoints undetected.
The I-G also expressed concern over the public's habit of recording officers on duty, saying it could demoralize personnel already under pressure. He insisted that the police are committed to ending impunity on both sides, noting that several officers have already been dismissed or punished for misconduct. Disu clarified that women can legally stand as sureties for suspects, rejecting the misconception that a surety must be a public servant at level 14. He added that police verify the address and financial standing of any surety before accepting bail.
Olatunji Disu opposes full vehicle tinting while acknowledging it is still legally permitted for security and medical reasons, creating a contradiction in enforcement policy. The push to ban tinted vehicles affects all road users, including those with valid permits under current rules. Police officers will now face the challenge of distinguishing between legal and illegal tinting in practice. This shift places greater responsibility on the public to comply even as the legal framework catches up with the new directive.
⚖️ NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
