Police appeal for missing "acclaimed" London poet
Gboyega Odubanjo hasn't been seen since attending the Shambala music festival in Northamptonshire four days ago
Police are appealing for information to help find a man dubbed an "acclaimed" poet from London.
Gboyega Odubanjo, aged 27, has been reported missing from the Shambala music festival last weekend. He attended the event in Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire with friends, and was last seen at around 4am on Saturday, August 26.
Gboyega's from the Bromley area but is also understood to have links to Woolwich.
He was reported missing the following day (Sunday, August 27) and since then, officers have been following all lines of enquiry to find him, including land searches of the festival site and surrounding area, supported by Northamptonshire Search and Rescue volunteers.
Investigating officer Detective Inspector Nick Peters, of CID, said: “We are increasingly concerned about Gboyega, and are repeating our appeal for anyone with information that could help us to find him to get in touch immediately.
“We know he attended the festival with friends, and became separated from them in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“Specialist officers have been searching the area in case something untoward has happened to Gboyega, but at this stage there is no evidence or suggestion of criminality and this remains a missing persons enquiry.
“We appreciate the love and concern that is being shown for Gboyega, but would continue to ask that no-one attempts to conduct their own search for him due to the risks posed by the nature of the terrain.
“I’d like to reassure people that we have a team of officers dedicated to following all lines of enquiry in order to find Gboyega, including investigating all reported sightings. We are liaising with his family and keeping them informed of our progress."
Gboyega is described as 5ft 6in, with short black dreadlocks and a full-face beard. He wears glasses and was last seen wearing a beige/cream bucket hat, a red and white striped gilet with black clothing underneath, black trousers and dark coloured shoes.
Statement from Gboyega's family
In a statement, his family said: "Gboyega is a loving and caring son who means the world to our family.
"He is currently studying for his PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Hertfordshire; He has a warm and infectious personality, a contagious smile, and a heart full of kindness.
"We believe that Gboyega's disappearance is entirely out of character for him, and we are genuinely worried for his safety and wellbeing.
"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."
Mr Odubanjo's best friend, Tice Cin, described him as an "acclaimed poet" and "highly anticipated novelist".
"My best friend Gboyega Odubanjo, light of my life and acclaimed poet, highly anticipated novelist, the best son and brother," she said.
"We need help bringing him home, nobody deserves to go missing in a society with all the resources to find our loved ones.
"In a society that is structurally unequal when it comes to missing black people (black people account for 14% of missing people in England and Wales, four times the relative population of black people in England), we need to work tirelessly to find Gboyega.
"Help us to find this brilliant kind man, the type of man who you can ring at 3am when your back is hurting, and you can't sleep."
The 27-year-old's work has appeared in the Guardian, The Poetry Review and New Statesman.
If you see Gboyega, please call Northamptonshire Police on 999. Information and previous sightings can also be reported by calling 101, quoting reference number MPD1/2619/23.
Gboyega if you see this appeal, please contact us or your loved ones – we need to make sure you are safe and OK.