Authorities in the UK have found a body during the search for missing Nigerian poet, Gboyega Odubanjo, who never arrived to perform at a festival in Northamptonshire.
Mr. Odubanjo, 27, was scheduled to do a reading at the Shambala festival in Kelmarsh on Sunday, August 27 but failed to show up.
He was last seen at around 4 a.m. on Saturday, August 26 at the event.
Police reports
Officers have been appealing for information about Gboyega, from Woolwich, southeast London.
A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said today: ‘A body has sadly been found during the search for a 27-year-old man reported missing in Kelmarsh.
‘Police officers made the discovery shortly before 9am on Thursday, August 31, in the course of a specialised search of the area.
‘The man had been reported missing on Sunday, August 27, having last been seen at Shambala festival early the previous morning.
‘While formal identification has yet to take place, the man’s family has been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.’
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Mr. Odubanjo’s family previously said they had ‘profound concern’ for their son’s safety and well-being and his disappearance is ‘entirely out of character’.
In their appeal, they said: ‘He has a warm and infectious personality, a contagious smile, and a heart full of kindness.’
‘We are reaching out to the community, friends, and all compassionate individuals who may have any information that could lead to his safe return.
‘No piece of information is too small, and your help could be the key to bringing him back to us.’
More on his disappearance
Gboyega’s best friend Tice Cin, 28, said on Wednesday his disappearance is ‘extremely out of character.’
She said: ‘It’s extremely out-of-character and totally unlike him to not get in touch.
‘Crucially, he always rings his mum every day when he’s away at a festival. And he was meant to be back for his dad’s birthday today.
‘They’re a very close-knit family.’ She also described him as an ‘acclaimed poet’ and ‘highly anticipated novelist’.
‘Officers from Northamptonshire Police will now prepare a file for the coroner,’ Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell said.
The missing person’s enquiry was led by detectives from the Force’s CID.
Novelist Ms. Cin, who met Mr. Odubanjo on a poetry course ten years ago, said she became aware something was wrong when he failed to get in touch with her about her own reading.
