The Department of State Services has released Ogun-based pastor, Kayode Olawoye, along with two associates, following strong public criticism over their detention.
Olawoye gained national attention after repeatedly highlighting the poor condition of several roads in Ogun State, urging the government to address the issue. His arrest sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the legality of his detention.
A family source confirmed on Tuesday that the pastor and his companions regained their freedom after spending more than 24 hours in custody.
Earlier, Olawoye’s wife, Shola, disclosed that her husband received a phone call from DSS officials on Sunday evening, inviting him to report to the agency’s Ogun State office by 2 p.m. the following day. She said the invitation was described as a routine and friendly engagement.
According to her, Olawoye arrived at the DSS office around 1:30 p.m. on Monday but was held without access to family members. Efforts to reach him afterward were unsuccessful. Two individuals, identified as Benjamin Olaleye and Joshua, who accompanied him, were also detained, with their phones reportedly confiscated.
Shola expressed distress over the situation, saying she was unsure of her husband’s condition while he was being held. She added that despite being asked to return later, no update was provided even after waiting through the night.
She maintained that the detention was connected to her husband’s advocacy for improved road infrastructure across the state, stressing that he was neither protesting nor inciting unrest.
“He has only been calling on the government to fulfil its promises to the people. I don’t understand when peaceful civic engagement became a crime,” she said.
Another family member revealed that this was Olawoye’s third invitation by the DSS. During previous encounters, officials allegedly questioned whether he was sponsored to criticise the state government’s handling of road projects—an allegation he consistently denied.
The detention drew condemnation from Amnesty International Nigeria, which described the action as unlawful and an infringement on fundamental human rights. The organisation urged authorities to stop harassing peaceful advocates and instead address the issues being raised.
By Tuesday night, the family confirmed that Olawoye and the two others had been released.
Attempts to reach the DSS Ogun State Director and the state government’s spokesperson for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
