Recently, the Inspector General of Police,
Nigeria pronounced a ban on vehicles with tinted glasses, claiming that “criminal
elements including suspected terrorists” hide behind them to commit all manner
of evil, shady activities. He ordered his men to impound such vehicles and arrest
their owners.
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Nigeria Police to seize vehicles
with tinted glasses
Published:
The Inspector General of Police
has described use of tinted vehicles as unlawful.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed
Abubakar, has directed state Commissioners of Police to arrest vehicles with
tinted glasses and prosecute their owners in line with extant laws.
Mr. Abubakar also extended the directive
to all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs).
The directive is contained in a statement
issued by Frank Mba, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, on Thursday in
Abuja.
“Police Officers nationwide have been
directed to commence a massive operation aimed at enforcing all existing laws
bordering on tinted glasses and the use of unregistered/unlicensed vehicles,”
it said.
The statement quoted the IG as describing
as alarming and unlawful the use of such vehicles by some motorists across the
country.
It also noted with “grave” concern the
use of unregistered/unlicensed vehicles by some motorists on the highways in
spite of repeated warnings from police authority.
“This unbecoming attitude has the
capacity not only to heighten criminal activities but to place unnecessary
pressure on security agencies and law abiding citizens,” it said.
The statement noted that their
indiscriminate use posed danger as security reports indicated that “`criminal
elements including suspected terrorists” hide behind them to execute their
nefarious activities.
“The IG wishes to remind Nigerians from
all walks of life, including politicians, military and security personnel that
the ban on unlawful and indiscriminate use of tinted glasses and legislation
forbidding the plying of unregistered vehicles are still in force. He wishes to
clearly state that the Nigeria
Police will no longer
tolerate few misguided Nigerians who abuse the use of tinted glasses and
unregistered/unlicensed vehicles. Similarly, owners of unregistered/unlicensed
vehicles are advised to immediately register them and obtain appropriate
licences or withdraw them forthwith from public roads,” the statement noted.
The statement said that the habit
complicated the challenge of effectively policing the country and endangered
the lives and property of law abiding citizens.
(NAN)
