The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified its efforts to enhance public safety and traffic regulation by impounding more than 700 vehicles for various violations, including the use of illegal tinted glasses, fake number plates, and unregistered status.
The announcement was made by Adamu Gwary, Director of the FCTA’s Department of Security Service, during a ‘Stop and Search’ operation carried out at key locations including the Apo–Wassa junction and Karu axis of Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of Gwary, Dr. Peter Olumuji, Secretary of the Command and Control Centre, explained that the enforcement measure is part of the FCTA’s ongoing strategy to tackle the surge in criminal activities, particularly the notorious ‘one-chance’ robberies, which have caused public concern across the city.
According to Dr. Olumuji, the operation is designed to deter criminally-inclined motorists and create a safer environment for residents.
Gwary highlighted that intelligence collected from victims of one-chance robberies indicated a recurring pattern: most of the vehicles used by criminals were either illegally tinted, unregistered, or had fake number plates.
“Victims often tell us that the vehicles involved in these robberies were heavily tinted, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators,” he explained.
He further stressed that ordinary vehicle owners, including taxi operators, have no legitimate reason to use tinted glasses, which often aid criminals in hiding their activities.
The operation forms part of the second phase of ‘Operation Sweep Abuja Clean’, a multi-agency initiative aimed at crime prevention and traffic regulation.
Gwary emphasized the effectiveness of the campaign, noting that the joint taskforce has recovered seven stolen vehicles in the past week alone.
“Our stop-and-search exercise sends a clear message: no matter where criminals operate within the FCT, they cannot evade law enforcement,” he said, assuring residents that the initiative is already yielding tangible results.
Gwary appealed to the public to be patient with the temporary inconveniences caused by the stop-and-search operations, emphasizing that the measures are meant to protect lives and property.
“The safety of residents is our priority. While some may experience delays, the benefits of a safer, more secure city far outweigh these minor disruptions,” he added.
Mrs. Deborah Osho, Head of Operations at the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), reiterated the FCTA’s commitment to eliminating unregistered and unpainted taxis, which are often exploited by criminals to evade identification.
She revealed that the joint taskforce, led by the police and comprising multiple agencies, has impounded numerous vehicles for offenses such as driving against traffic, lack of registration, and use of unauthorized number plates.
Osho explained that many one-chance perpetrators deliberately use vehicles with untraceable number plates or unpainted taxis to avoid detection.
“Today in Karu, the large number of apprehended vehicles demonstrates that Abuja is becoming increasingly hostile to criminals,” she said.
She assured residents that ‘Operation Sweep Abuja Clean’ would continue across the city and suburbs until law and order are fully restored, and urged citizens to cooperate with enforcement officers to ensure a safer environment.
The FCTA’s operation has reportedly drastically reduced one-chance robberies, bringing them to the barest minimum in the capital city.
By targeting vehicles with tinted windows, unregistered plates, and other illegal modifications, authorities are systematically dismantling tools commonly used by criminals.
Gwary emphasized that the intelligence-driven approach not only curbs crime but also instills confidence among residents who have been victims or potential targets of these robberies.
In a related development, last week, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, announced an extension of the enforcement deadline for the Tinted Glass Permit regulation.
Originally scheduled for strict enforcement at an earlier date, the new compliance deadline is now October 2, 2025.
The extension was granted following a significant increase in permit applications submitted through the official online portal.
Authorities stated that the extra time would allow for a rigorous vetting process to ensure that permits are only issued to eligible applicants.
The process is designed to strengthen national security, preventing the misuse of tinted windows, which can be exploited to conceal criminal activities.
Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement Extended to October 2025
Gwary and Osho both stressed that while residents are encouraged to comply with the permit regulations, the ongoing enforcement operations will continue without compromise, emphasizing that public safety remains the highest priority.
The FCTA and its enforcement agencies have made it clear that the operations are part of a long-term strategy to create a safer and more orderly Abuja.
Residents are encouraged to cooperate with traffic and security officials, report suspicious activities, and adhere to vehicle registration and permit regulations.
As the operation progresses, authorities hope to eradicate criminal use of vehicles and enhance overall public safety across the Federal Capital Territory.