The Publisher of Newsday Newspaper, Chief Edet Isong, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to urgently revisit the contentious issue of tinted glass permits, stressing that the policy in its current form is causing undue hardship for law-abiding motorists.
Chief Isong made the call yesterday in Akwa Ibom State, where several road users were reportedly subjected to harassment by security operatives along the Nsit Atai–Okobo Road. He noted that many of the affected vehicles were fitted with factory-produced tinted glasses, which do not fall under the same category as deliberately altered or customized vehicle tints.
According to him, the indiscriminate enforcement of the policy is creating unnecessary tension between the police and motorists, with citizens bearing the brunt of extortion, intimidation, and delays on the road.
“Some of these vehicles come directly from the manufacturers with tinted glasses. It is unfair to punish motorists for what they did not alter themselves. The police should focus on criminality, not frustrate law-abiding Nigerians who are simply going about their daily activities,” Chief Isong said.
He further appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to issue a clear directive that distinguishes between factory-fitted tints and after-market modifications, in line with the recent court ruling that ordered the police to maintain the status quo on the matter.
Chief Isong emphasized that while security concerns are valid, the police must adopt a more practical and people-oriented approach to law enforcement, especially at a time when Nigerians are already facing economic and social challenges.
“The police should revisit this policy and adopt modern technological tools for crime detection rather than rely on outdated methods that inconvenience innocent citizens. This will help build public trust and cooperation, which are vital in maintaining security,” he added.