The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said tinted car windows are still illegal in Nigeria despite lifting restrictions on the permits earlier this year.

This confirmation comes after an X user, Fyne, reported on Saturday that her car was impounded for having tinted windows without prior notice.

Fyne in a post tagged the police, asking, “Can you kindly provide the details on the tinted windows ban? And what the ‘punishment’ is? Because I’ve been in Gwarimpa for over an hour and it’s 9:46 pm, no word, and my car is impounded. I understand that you’re doing your job, but at least communicate!”

Reacting to the post, police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi noted that the ban on tinted glass remains in place.

“There is a ban on it. It’s even a legal matter because there is a law on it. The police only suspended the enforcement of the law because we had suspended the issuance of the tint permit,” Adejobi said.

The police spokesperson added that “the police may be discretional about it, to ascertain whether the vehicle is being used for criminal activities or not.”

Adejobi, however, noted that “the use of tint on vehicles in Nigeria is an offence, and many have abused it.”

In February, the NPF announced the lifting of restrictions on tinted glass permits.

The ban was previously initiated due to widespread concerns regarding the role of tinted glass in aiding heinous crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, the illegal transportation of firearms, and human trafficking.

Adejobi said the reintroduction will be accompanied by stringent measures to ensure strict compliance. (The Guardian)