25 Vehicles Seized in Delta as Police Enforce Tinted Glass Permit Amid Legal Battle

Asaba, Delta State — The Nigeria Police Force has impounded no fewer than 25 vehicles in Asaba over non-compliance with the controversial tinted glass permit policy, igniting fresh tensions between security authorities and civil rights advocates.

The clampdown, carried out on Thursday, marks the beginning of the nationwide enforcement of the policy, which also targets motorists using unauthorised sirens, strobe lights, and tampered number plates.

In a statement released by the Delta Police Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, the exercise aims to restore order on the roads and curb what the police described as “intimidation and abuse of public space by errant motorists.”

> “All unauthorised sirens and flashing lights should be removed without delay. Number plates must remain clear, legible, and properly affixed at all times,” Edafe said.

Police Commissioner Abaniwonda Olufemi assured residents that the operation would be carried out with professionalism, urging motorists to carry their licences, insurance, proof of ownership, and other essential documents to avoid unnecessary altercations during stop-and-search operations. He further directed Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to closely monitor the exercise to ensure civility.

The command reminded vehicle owners to apply for the permits via the Police Specialised Services Automation Project (POSSAP) or at state headquarters to avoid being penalised.
NBA Takes On Police Over “Illegal” Policy

However, the enforcement has sparked sharp condemnation from the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), which described the move as a blatant disregard for judicial process.

In a strongly worded letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, NBA-SPIDEL revealed that it has already filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the constitutionality of the tinted permit requirement.

The case, marked Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, pits the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA against the IGP and another respondent. According to NBA-SPIDEL, the police were duly served court documents, including a motion for interlocutory injunction, as far back as September 25, 2025.

Despite this, the NBA accused Force PRO CSP Benjamin Hundeyin and various police commands of making “contemptuous” statements and proceeding with enforcement in defiance of the pending suit.

Legal experts warn that the showdown could set the stage for a landmark ruling on the balance between national security, civil liberties, and the rule of law.

The renewed enforcement has divided public opinion in Delta and beyond. While some residents welcome the move as a way of curbing rising insecurity linked to tinted vehicles and unauthorised sirens, others see it as another avenue for harassment and extortion of motorists.

With both the police and the NBA standing firm, the matter is now expected to escalate into a high-stakes legal and political confrontation, with the outcome likely to redefine how far security agencies can go in imposing road-use regulations in Nigeria.