Ogun State-based pastor and social media activist, Kayode Olawoye, has been released from detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) alongside two associates, Benjamin Olaleye and Joshua. Their release on Tuesday night came after more than 24 hours in custody and a growing public campaign for their freedom, according to a family source who spoke with Punch Newspaper.
Pastor Olawoye, who gained public attention for his viral videos highlighting the poor condition of roads in Ogun State, was reportedly invited by the DSS for a “friendly interrogation visit” on Monday, January 19, 2026.
In a press interview, Olawoye’s wife, Shola, detailed the events leading to his detention. She stated that her husband received a call on Sunday evening instructing him to report to the DSS office in Ogun by 2 p.m. on Monday. Assured it was “nothing serious,” Olawoye arrived at 1:30 p.m. with two associates.
“I have not been able to speak with him since he entered the office. I don’t know his condition, whether he has eaten or even taken water,” Shola Olawoye told the Punch correspondent. “The people who went with him also had their phones seized, and we have not heard from any of them.”
She expressed frustration over his detention, linking it directly to his peaceful advocacy for better infrastructure. “This is a man who is fighting for grassroots governance… He is simply saying, ‘Our governor should fulfil his campaign promises,'” she said. “I do not know when being civil and asking for your rights turned into a criminal offence.”
A family member, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that this was the third time DSS officials had summoned Olawoye for questioning about his activism. The core of their inquiry repeatedly focused on whether he had a sponsor.
“The first time he was invited… they asked who was sponsoring him to showcase the bad roads,” the family source said. “He replied that nobody was sponsoring him and that he was instructed by God to speak out.” During a second invitation, he was asked the same question and gave the same answer.
The detention sparked immediate criticism on social media and drew a formal rebuke from Amnesty International Nigeria. In a statement reported by Punch, the organization condemned the action as “unlawful.”
“Subjecting such a peaceful advocate for good governance to bizarre intimidation by the Department Of State Services is unlawful,” the Amnesty statement read. “Criticizing Gov. Dapo Abiodun is not crime.”
As of the time of filing the report, attempts by Journalists to get official comments were unsuccessful. The State Director of the DSS in Ogun, Peter Afunanya, did not respond to calls or messages. Similarly, the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, was not reachable for comment.
The family source confirmed to Punch that Olawoye and his two associates were finally freed on Tuesday night following the widespread public reaction to their detention.
