The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced that it will resume nationwide enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit policy beginning January 2, 2026, citing a surge in crimes involving vehicles with unauthorised tinted windows.

Officials say the measure is necessary to combat armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent offences where tinted vehicles have been used to conceal identities.

In a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the NPF clarified that no court has restrained enforcement, despite ongoing litigation challenging the legality of the policy. “At no point did the court restrain the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the provisions of the law,” Hundeyin stressed, noting that earlier suspensions were voluntary, intended to give motorists time to comply.

The renewed enforcement follows reports that criminals exploited the pause to evade detection. The policy is rooted in the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act 1991, which bans heavily tinted windows unless authorised for security or medical reasons. Permits, costing about N14,200 annually, are issued digitally via possap.gov.ng with verification through National Identification Number (NIN) and Tax Identification Number (TIN).

Earlier attempts to enforce the policy in 2025 faced repeated extensions and suspensions, with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and individual lawyers filing suits arguing that the requirement infringes constitutional rights. A Federal High Court order had directed parties to maintain the status quo pending hearings, but the police insist this did not amount to a ban on enforcement.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun assured Nigerians that enforcement will be carried out with “utmost professionalism, respect for citizens’ rights, and in accordance with extant laws.” Motorists with factory-fitted tints or other legitimate needs are urged to regularise their permits before the January deadline to avoid sanctions.

While authorities frame the move as a public safety measure amid rising insecurity, critics warn it could open the door to harassment and extortion at checkpoints. Civil society groups argue that without strict oversight, enforcement risks becoming another avenue for abuse rather than a genuine crime-prevention tool.

The resumption underscores the tension between security imperatives and civil liberties in Nigeria’s policing framework. As the deadline approaches, motorists face a choice: comply through official channels or risk penalties in what promises to be one of the most closely watched enforcement drives of 2026.