…as motorists express fear of extortion as tinted glass permit deadline approaches.
LAGOS, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | With just 48 hours left before the August 12 deadline for motorists to obtain or regularise tinted glass permits, the Nigeria Police Force has yet to announce how it plans to enforce the directive, a silence that has stirred growing anxiety and suspicion among vehicle owners.
The renewed focus on tinted permits began on May 1, 2025, when the police reactivated their long-dormant digital permit application platform. The move was presented as part of efforts to enhance transparency, ease the process for motorists, and bolster national security, especially in tackling crimes where tinted windows are used to conceal occupants’ identities.
To encourage compliance, the police initially set a 30-day grace period from May 1, warning that enforcement would follow immediately after. “Enforcement will commence at the end of this period,” Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi said at the time, cautioning officers against harassment or extortion.
However, after reports of application bottlenecks, including poor internet access in rural areas, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, extended the grace period to August 12, calling it a “citizen-friendly” adjustment.
Now, with the new deadline just two days away, the absence of updated guidance has revived old fears. Many motorists worry that the uncertainty could open the door to abuse at checkpoints.
When contacted on Saturday, Adejobi offered only a brief comment: “We will speak on it soon.” No formal statement had been issued as of press time.
For some road users, the silence feels like a trap. “The police should be sending reminders, not leaving everyone in suspense,” said Lagos-based car owner Jamiu Azeez. “We all know how the police can be. They might use this as an opportunity to extort money. My advice is to get the permit now to avoid trouble.”
Others, like a driver who identified himself as Samuel, have altered their routines to avoid encounters with officers. “This should have been free,” he said. “Why should one have to pay again for something that came with the car? We motorists are in the dark, unsure whether enforcement will start immediately, if there’ll be another extension, or if it’ll be phased in.”
Some have decided to remove their tint altogether. “There’s nothing I’m doing with the tinted glass; it came with the car,” said Wale Daniel, adding that paying for a permit would be wasteful.
Critics also argue that the policy is poorly timed. Oladimeji Armstrong, another Lagos motorist, called it “unfriendly” and “insensitive” given current economic pressures. “The N16,000 the police are asking motorists to pay for the permit is sheer wickedness,” he said, urging President Bola Tinubu to halt the exercise. “Tinted vehicles are not the cause of terrorism, banditry, or ritual killings. This is just another way to rip off the people.”
In Kano, Luqman Ibrahim dismissed the crackdown as misplaced priority. “Criminals and terrorists are ravaging the country, and our security agencies are chasing petty issues,” he said.
“I have a tinted car for security reasons, but my worry is that policemen will use this as another avenue to extort Nigerians.”
As the countdown to August 12 continues, Nigerians remain divided between those rushing to comply and those questioning the necessity of the permit altogether. What unites them is a shared frustration: the police have yet to answer the one question on everyone’s mind –what happens next?
