Malik Yahya/
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba Usman, has announced that the ban placed on the issuance of permits for tinted glass was not directed at factory-fitted cars.
The IGP made the clarification on Monday during a brief virtual media chat with some journalists. He said that the decision was taken to stop the abuses associated with the use of tinted glass and SPY number plates.
He also spoke on his vision and mission for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), pledging to work hard towards ensuring the entrenchment of a culture that rewards good deeds and punishes bad ones.
He said he had since reeled out his vision for the Force and how he would achieve the target.
Usman emphasized collaboration without other security agencies and the traditional institutions including the monarchs and community-based groups.
He also spoke on the recent attacks on police formations by criminals, especially in the South-east part of the country, and commended his officers for ending the melee through concerted and intelligence-driven efforts.
Usman acknowledged the complaint that his men were taking advantage of the directive on the tinted glass permits to harass innocent car owners with factory-fitted tinted glass. He said efforts were ongoing to address the perceived excesses.
His words: “Yes, we understand that there are usually issues with policies and their implementation. The directive on tinted glass is not about the factory-fitted ones but those that are artificially made to cover the whole screen.
“If you look at the factory-fitted tinted glass you can still see through them and if there is any need for the driver to open the doors the security officers would know. But those that are not factory-fitted are completely covered so that no one knows who or what they carry. Those are the ones the ban is targeted at.”
The IGP had earlier in June announced the immediate suspension of tinted glass permits and the issuance of SPY number plates in the country.
According to him, some mischievous persons capitalized on the license to commit heinous crimes.
He had said at the time: “I have also received reports of the abuses associated with the use of SPY number plates and tinted glasses. For the avoidance of doubts, SPY number plates are for official use of some categories of corporate bodies, while tinted glass permits are issued under some statutory regulations.
“Unfortunately, several individuals have of late turned the use of SPY number plates and tinted glass into a status symbol and have fraudulently obtained such. There have also been reports that some criminal elements are also utilizing them as cover for their nefarious activities.
“Accordingly, henceforth, the issuance of SPY number plates and tinted glass permits are hereby suspended. The existing authorizations are being reviewed and a protocol to regulate the issuance of such permits will be evolved.”
He also announced that an enforcement mechanism “that will enforce the standardized process of issuance of SPY number plates and tinted glass will be implemented across the country”.
Usman added that the police would collaborate with the management of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to firm up an arrangement aimed at observing all necessary regulations before such permits are issued.
Still, on the attacks on police formations, the IGP said the NPF was on top of the situation, and that the sharp reduction in such crime was a product of collaborative security operations across the country.
“When last did you hear of such attacks on our formations? It is part of what we did, and I can assure you that we are working hard to defeat insecurity in the country. But on the question concerning our strategy, you know quite well that I would not divulge such here,” he said.
Usman revealed that Nigeria is working on a central database for criminals across the country and that efforts are in top gear towards acquiring more tools for his men to work with.
He also disclosed plans to run an open-door policy so that issues of misinformation and fake news are addressed headlong.
He said, “Your criticisms will make us stronger but let them be constructive. The essence of this meeting is to emphasize our open-door policy and I can assure you that we will work hard with the little resources at our disposal to run intelligence-driven operations in Nigeria through collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders.”
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