Disquiet over police enforcement of tinted glass ban in Abuja

Complaints have trailed the enforcement of the ban on tinted glass vehicles in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with motorists alleging harassment and extortion by security operatives at checkpoints across Abuja. The enforcement follows a directive announced by the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, who had declared a total ban on tinted […]

Complaints have trailed the enforcement of the ban on tinted glass vehicles in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with motorists alleging harassment and extortion by security operatives at checkpoints across Abuja.

The enforcement follows a directive announced by the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, who had declared a total ban on tinted glass vehicles in the territory during a televised interview. The move, according to the police, is part of efforts to curb the activities of “one-chance” criminals who allegedly use vehicles with concealed identities to operate within the capital.

On June 6, 2026, the FCT Police Command officially commenced enforcement of the directive, following orders from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu. CP Sanusi had explained that intelligence reports linked tinted vehicles, covered number plates, and unregistered cars to criminal activities in Abuja, adding that such measures were necessary to aid detection and enforcement.

However, since the commencement of the operation, several motorists have accused police officers of abuse of power, saying checkpoints have become sites of alleged intimidation, prolonged detention, and extortion, even in cases where valid tinted glass permits were presented.

Mr Olugbehga Ajayi, a private car owner, said he was delayed for over two hours at a checkpoint along the Gwagwalada–Federal Secretariat route despite presenting his tinted permit.

“They insisted it was a total ban and said my vehicle would be towed. I spent over two hours there before I was allowed to go after some money changed hands,” he alleged.

Similarly, Ibrahim Suleiman, a Kubwa resident, said his wife was stopped while conveying their children to school in Bwari, despite having valid documentation.

“We showed them the permit, but they ignored it. It took over an hour before we were allowed to go,” he said, alleging that money was eventually collected before release.

Another motorist, Mr Felix Abraham, also claimed he was stopped on his way to Zuba while transporting passengers, despite presenting his permit.

“They said the order is a total ban. After almost two hours, they collected money and asked me to leave while my passengers had already gone,” he alleged.

Mansur Ali, an entrepreneur popularly known as CEO Mansy Global, said motorists were being placed in an impossible situation.

“The police are enforcing strict arrests, yet the issuance of new tinted permits has been officially suspended for a long time. How are motorists expected to comply with a law when the government isn’t issuing the required documentation?” he said.

Ali added that a friend recently paid nearly N100,000 after being stopped by officers and expressed fears that removing tinted glass would expose wealthy individuals and public figures to criminal attacks.

Yakubu Khalifah Abdullahi said it was unfair to criminalise citizens over permits that are difficult to obtain.

“The whole idea of a tint is for privacy. Removing my tints might expose me and my loved ones to criminals,” he said.

He added that he would not replace his factory fitted glass because it would amount to a waste of money.

Adam Ibrahim Musa, a regular commuter in Abuja, said motorists could not be expected to produce documents that were not readily obtainable.

“Abuja isn’t exactly the safest place right now. The tint is a layer of defence because it stops people from seeing what is inside the vehicle,” he said.

He added that replacing factory fitted glass would be expensive and unnecessary and called on authorities to provide a grace period and a transparent permit system before resorting to arrests.

Grace Okonkwo, a civil servant and widow, said her factory tinted SUV was a gift from her late husband and replacing the windows would be financially difficult.

“I have tried to comply, but the system failed me. I cannot afford to replace four windows because that money is my children’s school fees,” she said.

Fatima Bello, an entrepreneur in Gwarinpa, said she relied on tinted windows for security because she frequently moved cash for her business.

She added that government should make permit applications affordable and accessible online and give motorists enough time to comply.

Emmanuel Chukwu, an information technology consultant, said road enforcement officers often failed to distinguish between factory fitted and aftermarket tints.

“Criminals will still tint their cars. The people who will suffer are ordinary citizens trying to get to work,” he said.

John Okafor, an Uber driver in Nyanya, said he could lose his livelihood if his vehicle was seized.

“If they seize my car because of tint, my family starves. We want to follow the law, but the law must also be followable,” he said.

The FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, had yet to respond to the allegations of extortion and harassment at the time of filing this report.