I didn’t invalidate existing genuine tinted-glass permits – IGP

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, says he has not cancelled existing tinted vehicle windscreen permits genuinely issued and already in use in the country.

The IGP had on Monday ordered the suspension of the issuance of permits for tinted glasses and SPY number plates for vehicles, adding that some individuals were fraudulently acquiring the permits.

The IGP however clarified on Wednesday that the directive did not affect already issued permits.

In a statement issued by the police spokesman, Baba said all existing permits remained valid and that existing SPY number plates must be used only by authorised users.

He directed the police commissioners of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to retrieve all supernumerary (spy) number plates currently in use by unauthorised persons or fitted to unauthorised vehicles.

He said the suspension would remain in force pending the release of a new protocol to regulate the permits.

The statement read in part, “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 glass 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,” he said.

“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 issuance of new SPY number plates remain 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 in the 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 told the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use by unauthorized users or fitted to unauthorized 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.”