Ekiti State Police Command has said a 21-year-old university student who was earlier reported missing has been found alive.

The Ekiti State Police Command confirmed that Damilola Praise, a student of Ekiti State University, was located after a search ordered by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo.

According to a statement by the police spokesperson, Abutu Sunday, the student had travelled from Lagos to Ado-Ekiti on 5 January 2026 and briefly contacted his parents on arrival. His phone later became unreachable, raising concerns about his safety.

Police said officers from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department were immediately deployed to trace his whereabouts.

After what the authorities described as a “painstaking investigation”, Damilola was eventually traced to Osogbo, the capital of neighbouring Osun State.

During questioning, the police said the student told investigators he had not been abducted or kidnapped, but had chosen to stay away from his parents because of difficulties with his academic performance.

The police added that Damilola has since secured employment with a private security company.

The commissioner of police has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information, warning that such reports could cause unnecessary panic.