LAGOS, Nigeria — Rilwan Mustapha Olawale, an alleged supporter of Peter Obi and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has reportedly been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), following days of public concern and demands for his freedom.
Olawale’s reported release comes amid growing calls for accountability over the circumstances surrounding his alleged arrest in Lagos on October 25, 2026.
His case attracted national attention after opposition figures, supporters and human rights advocates demanded clarification about his whereabouts, the legal basis for his reported detention and allegations of mistreatment while in custody.
Watch video of Rilwan Olawale savouring his new found freedom.
This Dawn News has not obtained an official statement from the DSS as of the moment of this publication.
Festus Ogun Had Demanded Immediate Release
Before the reported release, human rights lawyer Festus Ogun publicly demanded that the DSS immediately free Olawale, describing his continued detention as unlawful.
In a report published by This Dawn News on October 29, Ogun alleged that Olawale had been arrested after sending WhatsApp messages to Professor Ayobami Salami, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State.
According to the lawyer, the messages concerned electoral accountability and demands for transparency.
Ogun said he had reviewed the messages and found nothing offensive or criminal in their contents.
He argued that citizens should be able to question public officials and demand transparency in electoral administration without facing intimidation or unlawful detention.
The lawyer also invoked Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which protects freedom of expression.
Lawyer Alleged Torture and Dehumanising Treatment
In his statement, Ogun alleged that Olawale had been tortured and dehumanised during his reported detention.
The allegations heightened concerns about the treatment of detainees and the protection of fundamental rights during security operations.
Ogun demanded Olawale’s immediate release, an apology from the security agency and substantial compensation over what he described as violations of the detainee’s fundamental rights.
The allegations of torture have not been independently verified by This Dawn News, and the DSS’s response was not available in the report published earlier on Thursday.
The reported release, if officially confirmed, would resolve the immediate question of whether Olawale remains in custody. It would not, by itself, settle the allegations concerning his arrest or treatment.
Peter Obi Had Also Demanded His Release
The reported detention had earlier attracted the attention of Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, who demanded Olawale’s release and called for transparency over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Obi described the development as disturbing and unacceptable, arguing that Nigerians should be free to support political candidates of their choice without intimidation.
The case also generated public discussion about political participation, freedom of expression and the relationship between security agencies and citizens who criticise public officials.
Olawale was described in earlier reports as an NDC supporter and a mobiliser associated with the Obidient Movement.
However, the available reports did not independently establish that his political affiliation was the reason for the reported arrest.
Questions Remain After Reported Release
Even if Olawale’s release is confirmed, several questions remain unanswered.
These include the precise legal grounds for his reported arrest, the circumstances of his detention, the allegations of torture and whether any formal charges were contemplated or filed against him.
The DSS has not been quoted in the reports reviewed as providing a detailed explanation of the incident.
An official statement confirming the release and clarifying the circumstances would help establish the facts.
Ogun had also warned that legal action could follow over alleged violations of Olawale’s fundamental rights.
It remains unclear whether the reported release will lead to further legal proceedings or whether the parties involved will pursue the allegations through the courts.
What Next?
Rilwan Mustapha Olawale’s reported release from DSS custody marks a potentially significant development in a case that has drawn attention to civil liberties, political participation and the treatment of citizens in security detention.
The immediate priority is to establish the facts surrounding his release and obtain confirmation from his family, legal representatives or the relevant authorities.
The allegations made by Festus Ogun also require appropriate investigation, particularly those concerning the legal basis for the detention and the alleged treatment of Olawale while in custody.
This Dawn News will update this report as further verifiable information becomes available.
Related Report
Read the earlier report: Human Rights Lawyer Festus Ogun Demands Immediate Release of Rilwan Olawale, Alleges Unlawful Detention and Torture
