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Motorists Fear Extortion as Tinted Permit Grace Period Ends August 12.
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Motorists fear harassment and extortion over unclear enforcement plans.
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Calls grow for Tinubu to halt policy amid economic hardship.
With two days left before the August 12 deadline for motorists to obtain or regularise tinted glass permits, the Nigeria Police Force has yet to release clear enforcement guidelines, fuelling anxiety among vehicle owners.
The police revived their digital tinted glass permit system on May 1, 2025, aiming to streamline applications, curb abuse, and bolster security against crimes involving obscured vehicle occupants. Initially, a 30-day grace period was granted, with enforcement to follow immediately after.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that however, following public complaints about accessibility issues, particularly from rural residents and those without internet access, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, extended the grace period to August 12.
Now, with the deadline approaching, motorists are concerned that unclear enforcement plans could open the door to extortion. Force spokesperson ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, when contacted, said only, “We will speak on it soon,” leaving many uncertain about the next steps.
Some vehicle owners fear harassment at checkpoints, citing Nigeria’s history of heavy-handed traffic enforcement. Private car owner Jamiu Azeez warned that the lack of clarity could be exploited, urging motorists to get permits to avoid trouble.
Another driver, Samuel, criticised the fee, suggesting it should be included in normal vehicle registration.
Others, like Wale Daniel, are considering removing factory-installed tint to avoid paying the N16,000 permit fee, while Oladimeji Armstrong called the policy insensitive given economic hardship. Armstrong urged President Bola Tinubu to halt the policy, describing it as an avenue for “conscienceless extortion.”
In Kano, Luqman Ibrahim argued that focusing on tinted glass regulation amid worsening insecurity was misplaced, warning it could become another avenue for police exploitation.
The police have yet to issue a formal update, leaving motorists uncertain whether enforcement will begin immediately after the deadline, be phased, or extended further.
