March 21, 2022

Nigerians, especially private car owners, have continued to hail the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on his decision stopping police officers from demanding tinted permit and Customs papers from motorists.

Tinted permit was introduced years ago as a requirement for persons whose cars bear the tinted window most of which were factory-fitted hence not affixed by the car owners.

Many car owners complied and were issued temporary permits. But investigations have shown that the police were not able to meet up with issuance of permanent permits years after the temporary permits had expired.

But some criminal-minded policemen have seized the opportunity of the non-existence of permanent permits to extort money from motorists. Some even demand for Customs papers even when they have no business with matters bordering on Customs duties.

However, as if reacting to the cries of Nigerians, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), on Sunday ordered personnel across the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to stop demanding customs papers and tinted permits on the highways from drivers.

The Acting Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, stated this on Twitter.

The Force Spokesman added that the issuance of tinted glass permits remained suspended for now

Adejobi said officers were only expected to stop such vehicles, search it, as well as the occupants.

According to him, “no policeman should demand your customs papers, except they are on joint operation, but not just on mere routine checks

“We have suspended the issuance of tinted glass permits, so we don’t expect our men to disturb Nigerians on this.

“We are to stop any vehicle with tints, search the vehicles, and its occupants, but not to delay for not having tinted glass permits.”

He urged the members of the public to report police personnel who delay them on the excuse of not having the documents: tinted permit and Customs papers.

Since the announcement, some Nigerians have taken to social media to thank the IGP for coming out officially with the announcement, saying this will ease the burden of extortion on motorists.