*Uncertainty In Other States
IN a surprise move, considering a court order, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, on Friday, June 5, impounded over 30 vehicles for operating with tinted glasses, obscured number plates and improper registration.
The seizures mark the enforcement of the controversial ban on tinted vehicles across Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Ahmed Sanusi, said the operation was aimed at tackling the growing use of such vehicles by criminals involved in one-chance robberies, kidnappings and other violent crimes within the territory.
Adding that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, had given the command the go-ahead to enforce the ban, Sanusi said intelligence reports indicated that criminal elements deliberately use tinted vehicles and concealed number plates to hide their identities, evade detection and frustrate law enforcement efforts.
He said: “The IG has given us the mandate to begin the enforcement of the ban on the use of tinted vehicles and other offences 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.”
Sanusi explained that the enforcement exercise followed a directive to begin strict implementation of regulations prohibiting the use of tinted glasses and other traffic-related violations that could aid criminal activities.
He said the Command had commenced a comprehensive operation targeting vehicles operating in violation of the regulations, adding: “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.”
The Police commissioner explained that over 30 vehicles found to be operating with tinted glasses, covered or obscured number plates and without proper registration have been impounded, warning that owners and operators of the affected vehicles would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Federation and the FCT Road Transport Regulations Act, 2023.
Sanusi assured of the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention, urging residents to support the enforcement exercise, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, vehicles or activities to the nearest Police station or through the its 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 said.
He stressed that the crackdown was part of broader efforts to improve security and deny criminals the means of operating undetected within the nation’s capital.
There is uncertainty over the status of its tinted glass permit policy, suspended on January 1 by the Force, following an interim order by a high court in Warri, Delta State, restraining its implementation, as disclosed by then Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
The Police had earlier announced on December 15, last year, that enforcement of the policy would resume from January 2, this year, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and internal security.
It remains unclear whether the court order has been vacated, the suspension still in effect or the enforcement would be extended to other states.
