Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the young man who captured national attention during the 2023 general elections by bravely standing before Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy, has shared shocking details of his time in Kirikiri Prison — a consequence of what he says was a false accusation and targeted setup.
In a candid interview aired on Channels Television, Quadri opened up about his ordeal following the viral moment that made him a symbol of courage for many Nigerians. While the incident brought him recognition and public goodwill, it also attracted dangerous attention that nearly ruined his life.
According to Quadri, shortly after the election campaign, some local thugs — commonly referred to as “area boys” — began demanding a share of the financial gifts he received in the wake of his public act of bravery. When his mother refused, he says the threats escalated.
“My mum told them that if I had died after standing in front of that car, would they be asking for a share?” Quadri recounted. “They got angry and set me up.”
Returning home from work as a motor boy delivering fish to Port Harcourt, Quadri was ambushed by the same group of thugs. Unbeknownst to him, a fight had broken out in the area earlier. When he arrived, the area boys grabbed him and accused him of being involved.
“They pointed at me and told the police, ‘That’s the boy.’ I didn’t know what was happening. I had just gotten back from work,” he said.
He was arrested by officers from the Amukoko Police Division and detained for conspiracy and armed robbery. Quadri spent a week in a police cell before being transferred to Kirikiri Prison.
There, he says, his suffering deepened.
“My duty in prison from morning to night was to clean faeces,” he said. “Because I didn’t have money to give the wardens, they punished me every day. I was treated like I had no family.”
His account paints a grim picture of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, especially for young people from poor communities. Despite the trauma, Quadri says he is focused on rebuilding his life.
“I want to go back to school. I want to become a better person and leave the area because now people know me — they have put eye on my body,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the many Nigerians who supported him during and after his time in prison.
“God will bless everyone that helped me,” he said. “Those who are blessing me, God will not forget them.”
Quadri’s story has reignited conversations around police brutality, wrongful imprisonment, and the vulnerability of Nigeria’s youth. But his resilience — and desire to move forward — continues to inspire.
