Police hunt for missing poet who was last seen at Shambala Festival

Gboyega Odubanjo search: Police hunt for missing poet, 27, who was last seen at a festival where he was due to perform

  • Gboyega Odubanjo’s family say his disappearance is ‘entirely out of character’
  • Public urged to call Northamptonshire Police if they see Mr Odubanjo 

Police are hunting for a missing poet who was last seen at a festival where he was due to perform. 

Gboyega Odubanjo, 27, was attending the Shambala Festival in Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire over the weekend when he went missing. 

The poet who’s been described as ‘loving and caring’ by his family was last seen at around 4am on Saturday.

Mr Odubanjo, from Bromley, southeast London is described as wearing a red and white striped gilet with black clothing underneath, in addition to a cream-coloured bucket hat, black trousers and dark coloured shoes.

Northamptonshire police said Mr Odubanjo is 5ft 6in, wears glasses, has short black dreadlocks and a full-face beard.  Officers are urging members of the public to contact the force if they have seen him or have information about his whereabouts.

Pictured: Gboyega Odubanjo, 27, who is missing after not turning up to his performance at Shambala Festival 

Last sighting of Mr Odubanjo who went missing at around 4am on Saturday. His family and Northamptonshire police are appealing for information on his whereabouts

Mr Odubanjo’s family have ‘profound concern’ for their son’s safety and wellbeing and said 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.

‘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. 

In 2020, Mr Odubanjo won the Poetry Business New Poets prize – for his pamphlet Aunty Uncle Poems – and an Eric Gregory award from the Society of Authors. 

Poet Gboyega Odubanjo was attending the Shambala Festival in Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire over the weekend when he went missing

Organisers of Shambala Festival (pictured) which hosts performances by poets, musicians, comedians and speakers, asked anyone with information about Mr Odubanjo to contact the police

He is currently studying for his PhD in creative writing at the University of Hertfordshire. He is an editor for Bad Betty Press and the poetry magazine Bath Magg. 

Organisers of Shambala Festival which hosts performances by poets, musicians, comedians and speakers, asked anyone with information about Mr Odubanjo to contact the police.

Northamptonshire Police said: ‘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.’

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