The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has confiscated more than 30 vehicles for driving with tinted glasses, hidden number plates, and invalid registration as it begins to implement the tinted vehicle prohibition throughout Abuja.
Speaking to journalists at the command on Friday, FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi said the operation was aimed at combating the increasing usage of such cars by criminals involved in one-time robberies, kidnappings, and other violent crimes in the territory.
According to him, the inspector-general of police, Olatunji Disu, has given the command the green light to impose the restriction.
According to Sanusi, intelligence reports show that criminals actively utilize tinted vehicles and hidden number plates to conceal their identity, elude detection, and frustrate law enforcement attempts.
He said, “The IG has given us the mandate to begin the enforcement of the ban on the use of tinted vehicles and other offenses as earlier stated.
“Intelligence reports at the disposal of the command indicate that many criminal elements deliberately use such vehicles to conceal their identities, evade detection, and frustrate law enforcement efforts. This poses a serious threat to public safety.”
The police commissioner noted that the enforcement operation followed an order to initiate strong enforcement of regulations barring the wearing of tinted glasses and other traffic offenses that could facilitate criminal activity.
As a result, he stated that the command had initiated a comprehensive operation targeting vehicles that were in violation of the regulations.
“This exercise is not intended in any way to inconvenience law-abiding citizens, but it is to deny criminals the cover they exploit to operate crimes against innocent citizens and the FCT residents at large,” Sanusi stated.
He revealed that more than 30 vehicles had already been seized during the operation.
“As part of this ongoing enforcement, over 30 vehicles found to be operating with tinted glass, covered or obscured number plates, and without proper registration have been impounded,” he said.
The police boss warned that owners and operators of the impounded vehicles would be prosecuted in accordance with relevant laws.
“The owners and operators of these vehicles will be charged to court in accordance with the laws of the Federation and the FCT Road Transport Regulations Act, 2023,” he added.
Sanusi emphasized the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention, urging residents to support the enforcement exercise.
He also urged the public to stay watchful and report any suspicious people, vehicles, or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.
“We therefore seek the understanding, cooperation, and support of the public as we continue this enforcement exercise and enforce the ban on the use of such vehicles and the total ban on tinted glasses across the FCT,” he stated.
The police chief insisted that the raid was part of a larger attempt to tighten security and deny criminals the ability to operate unnoticed in the nation’s capital.
The imposition of tinted car limitations comes as the status of the Nigeria Police Force’s tinted glass permit regulation remains unclear.
According to a statement published by the Force Public Relations Officer at the time, Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force stopped national enforcement of the policy on January 1, 2026, in response to an interim court order delaying its implementation.
The police previously declared on December 15, 2025, that enforcement of the policy would resume on January 2, 2026, as part of measures to improve public safety and internal security.
However, it is unclear whether the court ruling has been vacated or if the suspension is still in effect.
