UK Police Find Body Of Missing Nigerian Poet

UK police have discovered a body while searching for Gboyega Odubanjo, a missing Nigerian poet who was supposed to perform at a festival in Northamptonshire but never showed up.

On Sunday, August 27, Mr. Odubanjo, 27, was supposed to perform a reading at the Shambala festival in Kelmarsh, but he did not show up.

On August 26, at about 4 a.m., he vanished from the scene of the gathering. Police have made an information request for Gboyega, who is from Woolwich in 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.

“UK Police officers made the discovery shortly before 9 a.m. 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 is being supported by specially trained officers.

“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.”

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Before his disappearance, Mr Odubanjo’s family expressed their “profound concern” for his safety and well-being and noted that it was “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.

“Thank you for taking the time to read our appeal. We pray for Gboyega’s safe return and for the strength to endure this challenging time,” they added.

Tice Cin, 28, Gboyega’s closest friend, stated on Wednesday that 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 added that he was a “highly anticipated novelist” and “acclaimed poet.”

Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this very difficult time, and we would ask the media and members of the public to not contact them and respect their privacy.

“We would like to thank all those involved in the search efforts, including the volunteer members of Northamptonshire Search and Rescue and the specialist search-trained officers from other forces who supported our efforts.

“We would also like to thank all those who have supported our investigation by speaking to officers or getting in touch with information.

“Officers from Northamptonshire Police will now prepare a file for the coroner.”

Detectives from the Force’s CID oversaw the investigation into the missing person.

Ms. Cin, a novelist who took a poetry course with Mr. Odubanjo ten years ago, claimed she noticed something was off when he forgot to contact her with her reading.

She said: “He’s a very reliable and present friend – he’s never missed any of my events.”