Nigeria Police Warn Criminals Exploit Tinted Vehicles for Crimes

The Borno State Police Command has cautioned against the misuse of tinted vehicles, warning that armed robbers, kidnappers, drug traffickers, and terrorists often rely on them to conceal their identities and carry out crimes.

In a statement on Saturday, Command spokesperson ASP Nahum Daso revealed that Crime Frequency Data showed a strong link between tinted vehicles and serious criminal activities.

“Evidence has shown that tinted vehicles have frequently been used to conceal or facilitate crimes. Armed robbers, kidnappers, drug traffickers, and terrorists have all taken advantage of dark glass to hide their identities or illicit objects,” Daso said.

He cited the murder of a University of Maiduguri lecturer on April 2, 2024, as an example. Though CCTV captured the vehicle used in the attack, the tinted windows made it impossible to identify the culprits.

Daso also recalled a September 26, 2025, tragedy in which three children suffocated inside a heavily tinted car after accidentally locking themselves in. Passersby, unable to see them, failed to intervene in time.

While stressing the need for stricter regulation, Daso clarified that exemptions remain for factory-fitted tinted windows, VIPs, and individuals with medical conditions like photophobia.

He explained that tinted vehicle owners will now be required to register and obtain permits through a digital process capturing biometrics, NIN, and vehicle details. This, he said, would create a verifiable database to aid investigations.

“The reality is simple: tinted vehicles without proper accountability undermine security. Failing to regulate tinted glass can cost lives,” he warned.

Daso assured citizens that the policy would not be abused, noting that the Nigeria Police Force has directed officers to act professionally and respect citizens’ rights.

Meanwhile, Force PRO CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said the Police had not yet been served with a Federal High Court order halting enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy.