Northampton police discover the body of missing Nigerian poet Gboyega Odubanjo

AUTHORITIES in the UK have found a body if missing Nigerian poet Gboyega Odubanjo who went missing over the weekend on his way to a festival in Northamptonshire where he was billed to perform.

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 am on Saturday, August 26 and since then, the police have been appealing for information about Gboyega, who comes from Woolwich in southeast London.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: "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."

Mr Odubanjo’s family previously said they had profound concern for their son’s safety and well-being as his disappearance is entirely out of character. Gboyega’s best friend Tice Cin, 28, added that his disappearance is extremely out of character.

She added: ‘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, as they are a very close-knit family."

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."

Novelist Ms Cin, who met Mr Odubanjo on a poetry course 10 years ago, said she became aware something was wrong when he failed to get in touch with her about her own reading. She added: ‘He’s a very reliable and present friend, he’s never missed any of my events."