PRESS RELEASE
The Lagos State Police Command is aware of public concerns surrounding the case of Alabi Yusuf Quadri, an 18-year-old who was remanded to Correctional Service following his involvement in violent attacks, public disturbance, causing extensive damage to public and private properties, and injuries to persons standing by in the Amukoko area of Lagos State earlier this year.
(2) On January 22, 2025 to be precise , a serious breach of public peace and extensive damage to public and private properties occurred in Amukoko when groups of youths engaged in violent confrontations that escalated into street fights for all, causing widespread violence, panic, and chaos. During the chaos, a number of innocent passersby were reported to have been robbed and injured.
(3) In response, Police officers of the Command immediately launched an investigation into the incident. More crucial information was provided by members of the community, some of whom witnessed the incident and recognized several individuals involved. Victims of the robbery also came forward to give statements and positively identified the perpetrators.
(4) Following a thorough and transparent investigation, Alabi Quadri and four others were arrested and charged to court in connection with the crime . The suspects were remanded by the court to a correctional facility pending the conclusion of legal proceedings in the matter.
(5) The Lagos State Police Command undoubtedly reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule of law to ensure justice in all matters, and also ensuring the safety and security of all residents. All Police actions taken in this case have been in the laid-down processes and in accordance with due process, procedures, and based on credible evidence gathered during the investigation.
(6) We urge the public to remain calm and allow the judicial process to take its course and be fully exhausted in the case. The Command remains open to engaging with the general public, opinion groups, and community stakeholders to transparently clarify every concern and ensure justice is served fairly and transparently.
It’s statutory procedure in the Criminal Justice System and codes that police actions terminate where matters are taken to court.
(7) Members of the general public in Lagos State are enjoined to stay calm and peaceful, and allow peace to reign to ensure justice for all.
CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, anipr, mipra, Police Public Relations Officer for Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Ikeja, April 19, 2025.
However, Foundation for Investigative Journalism, with a caption: LAWYER INIBEHE EFFIONG ACCUSES LAGOS POLICE OF LYING ABOUT TEENAGER ALABI’S ARREST , gives another reports another version of the same matter by the lawyer.
Inibehe Effiong, the lawyer to Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the teenager who regained freedom on Thursday after spending three months in detention, has condemned the police for trying to distort the truth of the case.
Effiong disclosed on Saturday that his team would seek redress and adequate compensation for Alabi. “We will also file a formal complaint with the Police Service Commission against the lawless DPO of Amukoko,” he added.
Fame found Alabi in 2023 after he stood in front of the convoy of Peter Obi, Labour Party’s candidate for the presidential election.
The teenage boy was held at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State, on a trumped-up charge of armed robbery. He was discharged because there was no evidence to substantiate the allegation of armed robbery against him.
The boy’s release came days after the news of the detention made headlines.
As many condemned his incarceration, there were controversies about his age and the reason for his arrest. His lawyer said the police misrepresented his age as 18 when he was actually younger than that.
The lawyer had also previously disclosed that two notorious street urchins from Alabi’s neighbourhood in Amukoko, abducted him in January while he was returning from work and dropped him off at the Amukoko Divisional Police Headquarters.
However, the state police command claimed that the boy was arrested “following his involvement in violent attacks, public disturbance, causing extensive damage to public and private properties, and injuries to persons” in January.
On Saturday morning, the police said violent confrontations between some youths in Amukoko on January 22 led to “widespread violence, panic and chaos” during which some innocent passersby were reported to have been robbed and injured.
The police claimed they carried out an investigation before Alabi and four others were arrested, charged in court and remanded in a correctional facility pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
In his response to the police statement, Effiong said the claim was false, misleading, laughable and ridiculous.
“It is embarrassing to see the police spread disinformation and fake news about an innocent Nigerian child,” he wrote on X.
“First, we wish to restate that Quadri is not 18 years old as mischievously parroted by the police. He is 17 as contained in his birth certificate and attested to by his mother.
“He was born on the 29th day of September, 2007.”
The lawyer stated that Alabi was not involved in street fighting, did not rob anyone and did not damage anyone’s property.
Former Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Ibihe Effiong (left) and Alabi Yusuf Quadri, right.
“Third, there was no time that our client was identified by any victim of the alleged crimes. The police should tell the public when and where the identification was done and the method used,” Effiong continued.
“How was Quadri identified by the alleged victims when no identification parade was conducted as required by law, given that the alleged offences were said to have been committed at about 10 pm?
“Fourth, the police in their statement said that our client was arrested, but they failed to state who exactly arrested him and the place he was arrested. Their silence on these key points is quite revealing.
“We should also state for the records that the police had detained Quadri for about a week in the police cell before unlawfully taking him before a Magistrate for remand.”
Effiong condemned what he described as a gross act of recklessness and irresponsibility by the police.
