Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have released Pastor Kayode Olawoye and two of his associates who were detained earlier in Abeokuta, Ogun State, after significant public outcry over their arrest.

The development was confirmed on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, following widespread criticism of the detention on social media and among civil rights advocates.

Olawoye, an Ogun‑based cleric and civic advocate, drew national attention when he publicly highlighted the poor state of several roads across the state and called on authorities to address the infrastructure deficits.

His campaign for improved road conditions gained traction online and sparked debate about governance and public accountability.

Sources familiar with the matter told the PUNCH that Olawoye and his two associates were detained by DSS operatives on Monday, January 19, after he was invited to the agency’s office.

Family members confirmed the release following sustained criticism and pressure from rights groups and members of the public.

Olawoye’s wife, Shola Olawoye, previously expressed concern over his detention, saying her husband was asked to report to the DSS on short notice. She questioned the legality of the arrest, noting that her husband’s activism was peaceful and focused on public infrastructure issues.

The pastor’s detention drew rebuke from civil society groups and international human rights organisations. Amnesty International described his arrest as unlawful and urged Nigerian authorities to protect the rights of citizens advocating for good governance.

The organisation said that “criticising Governor Dapo Abiodun is not a crime” and called for an end to harassment of activists.

Another group, the Take It Back Movement (TIB), Ogun State chapter, condemned the arrest as an attempt to suppress civic advocacy rather than address the underlying issues of deplorable road conditions.

TIB described the detention as “shameful, alarming, and unacceptable” and demanded Olawoye’s immediate and unconditional release.

The release of Olawoye and his associates ended a brief but contentious episode that had sparked discussions about the role of security agencies in engagements with outspoken citizens. As of the time of publication, there was no official statement from the DSS explaining the basis for the initial detention or the reason for their release.