The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has clarified that all those with existing and duly approved tinted glass permits are not affected by the recent ban on tinted glass permits.
The IGP gave the clarification in a statement on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba following the confusion generated by his directive which banned the issuance of tinted glass permits and SPY number plates to individuals.
It will be recalled that the IGP on Monday halted the issuance of police permits to owners of vehicles with tinted glass in the country.
The IGP also ordered that the issuance of spy number plates be put on hold.
Giving an update on the matter, the Police boss noted that the directive affects fresh applicants, and owners of valid permits can continue using theirs.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has affirmed that all existing vehicle tinted glass permits, duly issued by the Nigeria Police Force, remain valid,” Mba said in the statement.
“This clarification is coming on the heels of public inquiries following the announcement of the suspension of issuance of new tinted permits by the IGP during the meeting with Senior Police Officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on Monday, 7th June 2021. The suspension, which is a temporary measure, will remain in force pending the release of a new protocol that would regulate the issuance of tinted permits for vehicle owners and operators in the country.
“The IGP noted that the move is part of efforts to streamline the process of issuance and usage in line with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act which is explicit on conditions for the use of vehicles with tinted glasses in Nigeria. This is in addition to, among other things, effectively address contemporary security challenges associated with the usage of tinted glasses by criminal elements who hide under the cover of tinted vehicles to carry out their nefarious activities.
“In a similar vein, the IGP stated that existing SPY number plates must be used by authorized users, for purposes and vehicles specified by law while the issuance of new SPY number plates remains on hold pending the release of a new protocol that would guide its issuance and usage in the country.
“Meanwhile, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), to give full effect to the directives as contained above. The IGP specifically directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use by unauthorised users or fitted to unauthorised vehicles are retrieved forthwith.
“The IGP, however, warned that while carrying out these assignments, officers must ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.
“Members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with the Police in this regard as the moves are aimed at strengthening our internal security order,” he added.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News