Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the 17-year-old who gained national attention after a viral photo showed him standing defiantly in front of Peter Obi’s convoy during the 2023 general elections, has opened up about the harrowing ordeal he faced while in prison.
Speaking in an emotional interview on Channels TV, Quadri revealed that he was arrested by the police in January 2025 and had remained in custody ever since.
His case only gained public traction recently after a concerned young woman raised an alarm online, urging Nigerians to demand his release.
According to police reports, Quadri was taken into custody over alleged involvement in a violent street fight that occurred in the Amukoko area of Lagos.
However, the teenager insists he had nothing to do with the incident and believes he was wrongly accused.
“I was framed,” Quadri declared during the interview. “Before my arrest, I worked as a motorboy with a driver who delivered fish around town.
“That day, I had just finished my work and collected my pay. As I reached the gate of my compound, some police officers stopped me and said I was among those who fought earlier. I didn’t even know what they were talking about.”
He added, “They took me to the station and locked me up. I was the youngest among everyone arrested. In prison, my job was to evacuate faeces from the pit toilet. That was what I had to do every day.”
Quadri also spoke of his desire to return to school and build a better future for himself. “I want to go to school. That’s my dream. But I can’t do it alone—I need help,” he pleaded.
Thanks to the outpouring of public sympathy and support, over N10 million has reportedly been raised so far by kind-hearted Nigerians to support his education and reintegration into society.
Quadri’s story continues to stir reactions nationwide, with many calling for a thorough review of his case and a push for reforms in the justice system to protect vulnerable youths from wrongful incarceration.
