Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
KEBBI, Nigeria — The Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDN), Kebbi State Chapter, has expressed deep outrage and condemned the killing of one of its members, Tukur Alhaji Salihu, by operatives of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone B Kaduna, who were attached to duty in Kebbi State at the time of the incident.
In a strongly worded statement issued by the association’s leadership, members described the circumstances surrounding Salihu’s death as brutal, unjustified and a grave affront to the safety of citizens and legitimate business operators in the state. The association called for transparency, accountability and justice for the family of the deceased, and demanded that swift and appropriate action be taken against anyone found culpable in the incident.
According to the AMDN leadership, Salihu was a respected member of the motor trading community whose life and contributions to the local economy earned him recognition among peers. The association challenged the narrative surrounding the fatal encounter, asserting that a business owner should not have been subjected to deadly force in the course of his lawful activities.
Details surrounding the incident remain fluid, and official accounts from the Nigeria Customs Service have not yet been publicly released. However, the AMDN statement urged security authorities to conduct an impartial investigation into the circumstances leading to the shooting. The group stressed that the rule of law must prevail, and that no individual or security outfit should operate above accountability — particularly at a time when confidence between citizens and security agencies is critically important.
The protest from motor dealers highlights wider concerns about interactions between civilians and security personnel in northern Nigeria. Traders and business associations have frequently expressed anxiety over what they perceive as heavy-handed enforcement tactics and the use of excessive force, especially in disputes that could be resolved through dialogue, de-escalation and lawful procedures.
Following the shooting, members of the motor dealers’ association gathered to express solidarity with the family of the slain businessman. They also called on state government officials, human rights organisations, and civil society leaders to monitor the situation closely and ensure that proper legal mechanisms are applied.
Community leaders in Kebbi have urged calm and restraint while investigations are underway. In a brief comment, a local elder described the situation as “tragic and avoidable,” and appealed to all parties to allow due process to take its course, rather than resorting to reprisals or public unrest. The elder stated that Salihu’s death has cast a pall over the motor trade community and underscored underlying tensions between security forces and civilians.
The Nigeria Customs Service, as a federal law enforcement agency with responsibility for border control and regulation of importation and exportation activities, often engages in enforcement operations that bring it into contact with traders, transporters and commercial operators. Incidents involving Customs personnel and civilians have periodically sparked legal and public scrutiny, with calls for improved training, oversight and adherence to rules of engagement that protect life.
In response to pressures for clarity, several legal advocacy groups have called on relevant authorities — including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Nigeria Customs Service’s internal disciplinary bodies — to ensure that the matter is investigated thoroughly. Lawyers engaged by the AMDN have signalled their intention to explore legal avenues to secure justice for the family, including civil action if investigations reveal negligence, misconduct or abuse of authority.
The Kebbi State Government has yet to issue an official position on the shooting. Political figures and government officials are being urged by constituents and civic organisations to speak out on the matter and reassure the public that state institutions will uphold justice and protect the rights of citizens.
Security analysts say the incident highlights the delicate balance that must be maintained between enforcement duties and respect for human rights, especially in regions where economic activity intersects closely with security operations. They argue that clarity and accountability are essential to building trust between citizens and law enforcement.
As the motor trading community mourns the loss of Tukur Alhaji Salihu, attention now turns to the progress of official investigations. The community’s demand for justice, transparency and reform reflects broader expectations that security operations must be conducted within the confines of legality and respect for human dignity.
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