Update: UK Police divers join search for missing Nigerian student, Richard Okorogheye

Specialist police divers in the UK have now joined the search for a Nigerian student who has been missing for almost two weeks.

RichardOkorogheye, a student at Oxford Brookes University, hasn’t been seen since he left home in the Ladbroke Grove area of west London on the evening of Monday, March, 22.

The 19-year-old who has sickle cell disease was last seen on CCTV in Loughton, Essex, in the early hours of Tuesday, March 23, walking towards Epping Forest.

Officers and police dogs have been searching the forest for four days.However, nothing of relevance to the investigation has been found, Met Police said, adding that Specialist police divers have now joined the search in Epping Forest. 

Mr. Okorogheye was last seen dressed all in black with a white Adidas logo across his lower back and had a black satchel bag.

On Saturday the Metropolitan Police issued a fresh appeal, urging Mr. Okorogheye to contact the force or someone he trusts.

Detective Superintendent Danny Gosling, head of the Met’s Central West Public Protection Unit, said: “People can go missing from home for any of number of reasons.

“Our job is not to cast judgment but to work to find them and bring them home safely.

“My message to Richard is clear: Our only concern is your safety. You are not in trouble and have done nothing wrong.

“If you read or hear this message we would ask you to contact us, or someone you trust, to let us know you are safe. Your loved ones, and many other people who you do not even know, are very concerned.

“I would also like to thank the public for their continued support in sharing our appeals, checking doorbell and dashcam footage, and passing on any information.

“As our efforts to find Richard continue, the eyes and ears of ordinary members of the public will be essential tools in our search.”

His mother, Nurse Evidence Joel said her son, who had been shielding during the pandemic had struggled with his online studies.

According to her, Richard left home at about 8.30 pm saying he was going to meet a friend but left his wallet, jacket, and medication behind. 

“All he said to me was ‘mummy, I’m going to see my friend’. I trusted him, I had no doubt or no reason to ask him further questions,” she said.