Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the 17-year-old who gained widespread attention after a viral photo showed him standing in front of Peter Obi’s convoy during the 2023 general election, has shared details about the harrowing experience he has faced behind bars. Arrested by police in January 2025 and subsequently arraigned in court, Quadri has remained in prison custody ever since.
His plight drew public attention last week after a young woman urged Nigerians to speak out and demand his release. Although police claim he was involved in a violent street altercation in the Amukoko area of Lagos, Quadri insists he was wrongly accused.
Speaking on Channels TV this morning, Quadri recounted that before his arrest, he worked as a motorboy for a driver who delivered fish across various locations. On the day he was taken into custody, he had just completed his duties, received his pay from his boss, and was on his way home. According to him, he had just reached the gate of his compound when he was suddenly approached by police officers, who accused him of being involved in a recent street fight.
Quadri said he had just reached the gate of his compound when police officers suddenly confronted him, accusing him of being involved in a recent street fight. He explained that he was picked up on the spot and taken to the station. Among those arrested, Quadri noted that he was the youngest.
While in prison, he was assigned the unpleasant task of evacuating faeces from the pit toilet used by inmates. He shared his desire to return to school and appealed for support to help him pursue his education.
Quadri also revealed that ever since he went viral during the 2023 election campaign, he has faced increasing envy and hostility from some people around him.
“My mum told them it can’t be possible, that if her son, who stood in front of the car, had been shot, would they be asking for a share if I had died?”
“I had just come back from work, I was a motor boy delivering fish to Port Harcourt. As I got to our street, I didn’t know a fight had broken out earlier. ‘Area boys’ grabbed me and told police, ‘See the boy.’ That’s how I was arrested.”
– Advertisement –
“They locked me with four elderly men I didn’t know. The ‘area boys’ claimed I destroyed property and stole phones. I told them I was just coming from work, but they didn’t listen.”
“Because I had no money to give to the wardens, they made me clean faeces every day. I was in hell.”
Watch the video below