THE Lagos State Police Command has claimed that it arrested Lagos teenager Alabi Quadri for street fight.
Quadri, who was gifted money by Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, while standing in front of his convoy in Lagos State and was subsequently arrested by the police, charged to court and detained at Kirikirki Correctional Centre, regained his freedom on Thursday, April 17, after public outcry.
In a statement on its X handle signed by the Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Saturday April 19, the police said Quadri was arrested, charged to court and remanded in a correctional facility after the street fight that took place in the Amukoko area of the state.
The command added that the incident occurred on January 22 when a group of youths engaged in a fierce street fight that caused terror in the community.
According to the statement, several people were injured and public and private property were damaged, stressing that some passersby were also robbed during the alleged chaos.
“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, several innocent passersby were reported to have been robbed and injured,” Hundeyin posted.
According to the police, officers quickly began to investigate the case.
They added that victims of the robbery also gave statements and identified some of those involved.
The police further explained that the investigation led to the arrest of Quadri and four others, who were subsequently taken to court. The court then ordered their detention pending further legal proceedings.
“Victims of the robbery also came forward to give statements and positively identified the perpetrators. Following a thorough and transparent investigation, Alabi Quadri and four others were arrested and charged to court in connection with the crime.”
The police reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law to ensure justice in all matters and also ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians.
The command urged the public to stay calm and allow peace to reign to ensure justice for all.
The ICIR reported that Quadri regained freedom on Thursday after months in detention.
A Lagos Magistrate Court discharged the teenager following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which confirmed there was no evidence to support the armed robbery charge levelled against him.
Quadri was held at the Kirikiri Medium Security Custodial Centre in Lagos over what his lawyer described as a ‘baseless’ armed robbery charge.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who represented the teenager, confirmed the boy’s release in a statement on Thursday.
Effiong said the Lagos State DPP found no evidence to support the charge and recommended his discharge.
He noted that the presiding judge, A. O. Olorunfemi, discharged the teenager.
The ICIR also gathered that Nigerians raised over N3 million within two hours to support Quadri.
The appeal, initiated by human rights lawyer Effiong shortly after his release, sought financial help from Nigerians to urgently relocate Quadri and his family from Amukoko, Lagos, due to persistent threats to their lives.
“We have raised N3 million within two hours of announcing the fundraising for Quadri Alabi.
“We are still far from the target, but the amount raised so far demonstrates that there are good and spirited people in Nigeria,” Effiong wrote in a statement on his social media handle.
Meanwhile, Obi has promised to further support the boy.
He also demanded justice for him.
He stated these when he received the boy in Lagos State on Friday, April 18.
Quadri was led to the former Anambra State governor by his lawyer – Effiong.
A reporter with the ICIR
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