WATCH THE VIDEO HERE THE Lagos State Police Command has refuted claims that Quadri Alabi—the teenager who went viral during the 2023 election campaigns for blocking the convoy of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi—was apprehended by hoodlums and handed over to the police. The Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, addressed the matter during an interview programme today. Human rights lawyer and Alabi’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, had previously alleged during the same programme yesterday that the teenager was wrongly accused of engaging in a street fight and taken to a police station by local thugs. Effiong recounted, “He was close to home when he was seized. Two area boys mocked him, saying, ‘You’ve been feeling too important. Obi gave you money, but you didn’t settle us. We’ll show you.’ They took him to the Amukoko Police Station, claiming he had been involved in a street fight—at least, that’s what they told his mother.” He further stated that Alabi’s mother later confronted one of the area boys, who reportedly confessed that they handed her son over to the police because she refused to give them money. However, CP Moshood dismissed this narrative, stating that it was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Amukoko Division who arrested Quadri—not any group of thugs. According to Moshood, “Private individuals are allowed to make arrests and hand suspects over to the police. But in this case, the DPO received a distress call reporting vandalism and phone thefts. Based on that call, the DPO made the arrests—Quadri and five others were taken into custody. When asked about the lawyer’s demand for a formal apology to Quadri, the Commissioner responded, “Why should I apologise when our internal investigation has not been concluded or presented any final findings? The police are committed to ensuring the safety of all Nigerians.” On April 17, a Magistrates’ Court in Apapa discharged Quadri, following a legal recommendation from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins. The magistrate cited the DPP’s legal advice, which found no evidence supporting the armed robbery allegations made against Quadri. The DPP also recommended that Quadri and another defendant, Muiz Animashaun, should not face prosecution. Both had been standing trial with three others for alleged armed robbery.
LAGOS: Quadri was arrested by police, not area boys – CP clarifies
