In order to tackle the constant harassment of motorists by security operatives over the use of tinted windows in the country, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has resumed the issuance of tinted glass permit.
In a statement by its spokesman on Wednesday, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police said motorists can now apply for the permit via a digital platform designed to make the process seamless.
The reactivation of the permit system is a strategic move to identify lawful users such as individuals with medical requirements or members of the security community while preventing misuse for criminal activities. It is expected to enhance police investigative capabilities and strengthen national security efforts.
It was disclosed that the secure and user-friendly digital platform for the application of the permit, www.possap.gov.ng, was approved by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
According to the statement, this new system is for a clear, transparent, and accountable process for regularizing factory-fitted tinted glass on vehicles.
With modern automobiles increasingly manufactured with tinted windows, the police said it has become essential to provide a standardized system that accommodates legitimate use while ensuring public safety.
Tinted vehicles have often been exploited for criminal purposes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, one-chance scams, and other forms of banditry.
Their use hampers police visibility and impedes effective law enforcement, thereby contributing to public insecurity.
To ensure a smooth transition, a 30-day grace period has been approved, effective from May 1, 2025, within which motorists are expected to comply. Enforcement will commence at the end of this period.
Mr Egbetokun warned that officers found engaging in unprofessional conduct such as extortion or harassment in the course of enforcement would be decisively dealt with in accordance with extant disciplinary procedures.
Vehicle owners with tinted glasses have been advised to process their permits online, with identity verification integrated through the National Identification Number (NIN) and Tax Identification Number (TIN), alongside biometric capture and background checks.
The system also features QR-coded digital permits, with a streamlined processing timeline of 72 hours.
The IGP reiterated the agency’s commitment to a technologically driven and citizen-focused policing strategy. He urges the public to embrace the initiative in the interest of safer roads, enhanced public trust, and a more secure Nigeria.