Presidency cautions users of tinted vehicles in the Villa

The presidency on Tuesday announced the introduction of strict measures to check the unwholesome attitudes of some users of tinted vehicles in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Chief Security Officer, CSO to the President, Mr B Abubakar, in a circular dated 26 January, 2016 with Reference number C-in-C/CSO/LTU/558 directed that all tinted cars and other vehicles entering the Presidential Villa be thoroughly searched.

He said that the measure became necessary in the light of the revelation that most terrorist attacks on high profile individuals across the world were carried out with stolen or tinted vehicles.

In a circular titled ‘Use of tinted cars around the Presidential Villa, Abuja’ the CSO wrote ;

“It has been observed that some staff of the Presidential Villa driving tinted cars, especially security personnel are in the habit of refusing to wind down their windscreen for security checks before driving into the villa.

“It is most worrisome that some of them used the excuse of either driving official cars or driving VIPs to justify their acts.

“This act which is not in tandem with standard security drill and procedure poses serious threat to the safety and security of the Villa.

“It is important to note that the insistence of security operatives at the pilot gates to properly screen vehicles coming into the villa whether tinted or not tinted, official or unofficial is not out of place.

“Therefore, there is need for all to subject themselves and their vehicles to security checks as the case may be, so as to prevent unscrupulous elements from exploiting the situation to launch attacks on the Villa.

“More So, that most of the major attacks by terrorists groups on high profile targets around the world are being carried out using hijacked vehicles or vehicles with tinted glasses."

Abubakar directed Heads of units/departments to advise personnel under their care to always subject themselves to proper security checks.