Tinted Glass: End Harassment, Release Impounded Vehicles, Reps Urge FCT Police
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command to immediately halt the indiscriminate harassment of motorists and release vehicles that have been impounded solely for violations related to tinted glasses and covered number plates.
This and other resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on “Addressing the Enforcement of Ban on Tinted Glasses and Covered Number Plates in the FCT” by Rep. Tolani Shagaya, a lawmaker representing Asa/Ilorin West federal constituency of Kwara State, on Tuesday at plenary.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command had on 5 December 2024, announced a crackdown on vehicles with tinted windows and covered number plates as part of efforts to combat rising criminal activities, including ‘one chance’ kidnapping. In a statement posted on X, the Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, called on vehicle owners to adhere to the directive or risk having their vehicles impounded.
Other resolutions reached by the House include, for the FCT Police Command to issue a public notice granting a grace period of not less than 90 days, during which vehicle owners can take necessary steps to comply with the regulations concerning tinted glasses and number plates.
The lawmakers also directed the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to launch a comprehensive public enlightenment campaign, informing citizens about the specifics of the regulations and the procedures for obtaining necessary permits or making required modifications to their vehicles.
Debating the motion, Rep. Shagaya noted that though the directive intends to enhance security within the FCT, abruptly enforcing it without adequate public notice has led to widespread harassment of motorists and significant inconvenience to law-abiding citizens.
According to him, while the importance of security measures to protect citizens is highly recognised, “such measures must be implemented in a manner that respects the rights of individuals and allows for reasonable compliance timelines.”
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Police to engage with the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to develop clear guidelines for the enforcement of such directives in the future, ensuring that adequate public awareness and reasonable timelines are established prior to implementation.
