The global human rights organization Amnesty International has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Pastor Kayode Olawoye, a cleric in Ogun State known for his vocal advocacy for better roads, calling the action by the Department of State Services (DSS) an unlawful act of intimidation.
The organization issued a statement on Tuesday, demanding an immediate end to what it described as the “incessant intimidation and harassment” of the pastor, whose campaign highlighting the “shocking and deplorable state of roads” in the state has drawn public attention.
“Subjecting such a peaceful advocate for good governance to bizarre intimidation by the DSS is unlawful. Criticizing Gov. Dapo Abiodun is not a crime,” the statement from Amnesty International declared.
The intervention follows verified reports that Pastor Olawoye was detained by the DSS in Abeokuta on Monday, January 19, 2026. He had been invited for what was described as a chat but was not allowed to leave the facility, marking a significant escalation from previous interactions where he was questioned and released. The pastor had earlier raised alarms about visits from individuals claiming to be DSS operatives to his church, who sought a “familiarisation meeting” without presenting formal documentation.
Amnesty International argued that the pastor’s advocacy is justified and that the authorities have an obligation to protect fundamental human rights. “Instead of investing in desperate attempts to punish activists, the government should be listening to them and doing more to address people’s concerns,” the statement concluded.
The detention of Pastor Olawoye is seen by local observers as part of a broader pattern under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration. This perception is reinforced by other recent cases involving critics.
In a separate but related matter, the Ogun State Government has confirmed that social media activist Adetoun Onajobi (popularly known as Just Adetoun) is facing six-count criminal charges filed by the police, following her online criticism of the governor. The state’s Attorney General alleged she spread false information about the state’s emergency services. A doctor who allegedly issued a fake medical report to help her was recently arrested and remanded.
As of the time of reporting, neither the DSS nor the Ogun State Government has issued an official public response to Amnesty International’s statement or provided specific grounds for Pastor Olawoye’s ongoing detention. The case has heightened discussions about the space for public dissent and accountability in the state.
