The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command to provide a 90-day grace period for vehicle owners to comply with regulations on tinted windows and covered number plates.
The resolution also calls for an immediate halt to the indiscriminate harassment of motorists and the release of vehicles impounded solely for these violations, provided no other offenses are involved.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya. In adopting the motion, the House instructed its Committee on Police Affairs to engage with the Nigeria Police Force leadership to create clear enforcement guidelines for similar directives. These guidelines should include adequate public awareness campaigns and reasonable compliance timelines before enforcement begins.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to collaborate with stakeholders to launch a public enlightenment campaign. The campaign should inform citizens about the regulations and outline the process for obtaining permits or making the necessary modifications to their vehicles.
Shagaya noted that the recent enforcement of the ban on tinted windows and covered number plates by the FCT Police Command aimed to curb rising criminal activities such as kidnapping. However, he expressed concerns over the abrupt implementation, which lacked sufficient public notice, leading to widespread harassment of motorists and significant inconvenience for law-abiding citizens.
He highlighted that the lack of a compliance window has resulted in numerous vehicles being impounded, causing economic hardship to individuals and businesses. While acknowledging the importance of security measures, Shagaya stressed that enforcement must balance security with citizens’ rights, providing reasonable timelines for compliance.
The House’s resolution seeks to ease the challenges faced by vehicle owners while ensuring effective and fair enforcement of security regulations.
