The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has commenced a fresh enforcement operation against vehicles with tinted glasses, concealed number plates, and improper registration across Abuja, resulting in the impoundment of more than 30 vehicles and reigniting concerns over the legal status of the Nigeria Police Force’s suspended tinted-glass permit policy.
The operation, which police authorities say is aimed at tackling insecurity in the nation’s capital, was launched following directives from Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun as part of efforts to curb criminal activities including kidnapping, one-chance robberies, armed attacks, and other violent crimes increasingly reported across the Federal Capital Territory.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi disclosed that intelligence reports available to the command revealed that criminal elements frequently exploit heavily tinted vehicles and concealed registration numbers to evade detection and frustrate law enforcement operations.
According to the commissioner, the use of tinted windows and hidden number plates has become a recurring tactic among criminals seeking anonymity while carrying out illegal activities within the city.
“The Inspector-General of Police has given us the mandate to begin the enforcement of the ban on the use of tinted vehicles and other related offences,” Sanusi stated.
He explained that security intelligence gathered by the command indicated that many offenders deliberately modify their vehicles to conceal their identities from security agencies, thereby posing a significant threat to public safety.
Sanusi maintained that the operation is not intended to target law-abiding citizens but rather to deny criminal networks the cover they often exploit to operate undetected.
He emphasized that the ongoing enforcement exercise forms part of broader security measures designed to improve surveillance, strengthen public safety, and support ongoing efforts to combat crime across Abuja.
The commissioner revealed that more than 30 vehicles had already been impounded for various violations, including the use of tinted glasses, covered or obscured number plates, and failure to possess proper vehicle registration documentation.
He warned that vehicle owners found violating relevant regulations would face prosecution in accordance with existing laws governing road transport operations within the Federal Capital Territory.
Authorities have also called on residents to support ongoing security efforts by reporting suspicious vehicles, movements, and activities through established police communication channels.
The latest development comes amid rising public concern over insecurity in Abuja, particularly the growing incidents of kidnapping, one-chance attacks, and armed robberies reported in several parts of the capital city.
However, the renewed enforcement exercise has also raised fresh legal and constitutional questions following the Nigeria Police Force’s suspension of its controversial tinted-glass permit policy earlier this year.
On January 1, 2026, the Force announced the suspension of the nationwide permit enforcement regime after a court issued an interim order restraining its implementation. The suspension was communicated in an official statement by then Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
Before the court intervention, the police had planned to resume full enforcement of the permit system on January 2, 2026, arguing that regulation of tinted vehicles was necessary to address security challenges across the country.
With the current operation now underway, uncertainty remains over whether the court order restraining implementation has been vacated or whether the suspension remains in force.
The renewed crackdown is therefore expected to attract scrutiny from motorists, legal practitioners, and civil rights advocates who continue to demand clarity regarding the legal framework guiding police enforcement actions on tinted vehicles.
As security agencies intensify efforts to tackle criminal activities in Abuja, the enforcement operation is likely to remain a subject of public debate, balancing concerns over public safety against questions surrounding legality, citizens’ rights, and due process.