The Nigeria Police Force has officially suspended its planned nationwide enforcement of tinted glass permits, citing a court order that has temporarily halted the process. The announcement, made just one day before the policy was set to take effect, has sparked widespread reactions from citizens across the country.
Court Injunction Forces Police to Halt Enforcement
In a statement released on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the force was served with an interim court injunction. This legal order restrains the police from proceeding with the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy.
The injunction was issued on December 17, 2025, under suit number HOR/FHR/M/31/2025. It specifically bars the police from any action on the permits pending the hearing and final determination of the suit. The police had initially announced the resumption of the tinted glass policy enforcement on December 15, 2025, with an effective start date of Friday, January 2, 2026.
The police authority stated that it has formally entered the matter and raised a preliminary objection. A formal application has also been made to the court to vacate the interim order. The case has been adjourned by the court to January 20, 2026, for a proper hearing.
Nigerians React to the Sudden Policy Suspension
The suspension announcement triggered an immediate wave of comments from Nigerians on social media and news platforms. Many expressed skepticism about the motives behind the original policy, while others set conditions for its acceptance.
One user, sunweb_y2, questioned the police's focus, suggesting the primary aim was revenue generation rather than security. The comment argued that if the same energy was channeled into tackling core security challenges, the country would be safer.
Another commenter, Edmund Onoriode, stated that the policy would only be acceptable if the permit was free or cost no more than one thousand Naira. This reflects a common sentiment about the multitude of official payments burdening citizens.
User ericthomas_1 raised a practical concern, warning that despite the official suspension, some police officers might still use the announcement as a pretext to extort money from drivers with tinted windows on the roads.
obaksolo directly questioned why there was so much contention over the tinted permit when money had already been allegedly extorted from many Nigerians under the previous enforcement regime.
Background and Police Justification
The police had defended the now-suspended policy as a necessary measure for internal security and public safety. The enforcement was presented as part of the force's broader responsibility to regulate vehicle modifications that could potentially hinder law enforcement operations or be used by criminals.
The sudden reversal, compelled by the judiciary, highlights the ongoing tension between security policies, legal oversight, and public perception in Nigeria. It also underscores the frequent public suspicion that certain government directives are designed more for revenue collection than for their stated public good.
All eyes will now be on the court proceedings scheduled for January 20, 2026, which will determine the future of the tinted glass permit policy in Nigeria.
