Criminals now ride in tinted cars – Police

The Borno State Police Command has warned that criminals are increasingly using tinted vehicles to commit robberies, kidnappings, drug trafficking, and even terrorism across Nigeria.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, made this known in a statement released on Saturday, saying data from the Command’s Crime Frequency Report revealed that many serious crimes were carried out using vehicles with darkened glass.

“Our findings show that tinted vehicles have frequently been used to conceal or facilitate serious crimes. Armed robbers, kidnappers, drug traffickers, and terrorists have all taken advantage of dark glass to hide their identities or illicit objects,” Daso stated.

He cited a shocking example involving a University of Maiduguri lecturer murdered on April 2, 2024, where CCTV footage captured the vehicle but not the suspects’ faces due to heavy tinting — delaying justice.

Another tragic case, he said, occurred on September 26, 2025, when three children died after being trapped inside a dark-tinted vehicle. Passersby could not see them in time to intervene.

Daso said these incidents show why regulation is critical:

“Criminals exploit the anonymity that dark glass provides. Failing to regulate it leaves law enforcement handicapped and the public vulnerable.”

He, however, clarified that the regulation is not a total ban on tinted vehicles. Exemptions apply to factory-fitted tint, VIPs, and individuals with medical conditions such as photophobia.

Vehicle owners must now register for digital tinted glass permits, which will capture biometric data, NIN, and vehicle details to aid investigations.

“This process creates a verifiable database that strengthens security. When a tinted car is linked to a crime, we can trace its owner swiftly,” he said, assuring that the process will be transparent and corruption-free.

The police also warned officers against using the regulation as a means to extort motorists, urging the public to report unprofessional conduct through the Complaint Response Unit (CRU).

Meanwhile, the Force Headquarters said it had not yet received the Federal High Court order reportedly stopping the enforcement of tinted-glass permits.

Force PRO, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that enforcement continues nationwide, adding that vehicles without valid tinted permits risk fines and possible impoundment as of October 2, 2025.