•Gives poor academic performance as reason
A 21-year old student student of Ekiti State University, Damilola Praise, who was reported to be missing, has been found by detectives of Ekiti State Police Command in Osogbo, Osun State.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, confirmed this in a statement on Monday, January 19.
The student, who has secured a job with a security company, said that he decided to keep his parents off his track because he couldn’t fulfil their expectations with his poor academic performance.
Thenewsbearer learnt that an earlier report had it that Damilola Praise boarded a vehicle from a park in Lagos to Ado-Ekiti on Monday, January 5, 2026, and on his arrival in Ado Ekiti, he called his parents on phone to inform them about his safe arrival.
It was however said that his phone numbers became unreachable shortly after the call, and all efforts made by his family members and friends to reach him proved unsuccessful.
The PPRO said: “Upon the receipt of the distress information, the State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, directed the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) to commence a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure the whereabouts of the alleged victim is uncovered.
“Operatives of the State CIID immediately swung into action, and through a concerted and, painstaking effort, trailed the alleged missing Damilola Praise to Osogbo in Osun State where he was found.
“During investigation, Damilola Praise revealed that he was never kidnapped nor abducted. According to him, he decided to stay off his parents’ reach as a result of his poor academic performance.
“He stated that after considering all the available options, the best for him was to stay out of school and look for menial job, since he could no longer cope academically.
“It was further revealed that Damilola Praise has already sourced a job for himself in a security company at Osogbo, Osun State.”
SP Abutu added that while further investigation would be conducted and necessary action taken, the Commissioner of Police cautioned citizens against rushing to the social media to circulate unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic or uproar in the society.
