UNILAG Student Olusola James Missing Since May 9 — Family Cries Out for Help, Accuses Police of Delay

 

The family of Olusola James, a 21-year-old student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is desperately seeking help to find their son and brother, who has been missing since May 9, 2025. The fourth-year undergraduate left his campus at UNILAG in Akoka, Lagos, that morning and has not been seen or heard from since.

This disturbing situation has thrown the Olusola family into deep emotional distress as they continue their frantic search. The case has now entered its 24th day, yet there is no sign of James or any concrete information about his whereabouts. The family is appealing to the public for any form of assistance or useful information, as they continue to express frustration over the slow response from law enforcement authorities.

Disappearance of Olusola James: What We Know So Far

According to Joy Olusola, the sister of the missing student, the last confirmed sighting of James was on the morning of May 9, 2025, when he reportedly booked a ride from the UNILAG campus to the Idumota area on Lagos Island.

“We have tried everything. It’s 24 days now and it’s just heartbreaking not to have heard from him or have any clue about what is really happening. The police have been very slow about this, and we would appreciate any help you can render, please,” she told LIB.

Since that day, the family says there has been no communication from James, and his phone has remained unreachable. No one has reported seeing him, and attempts to trace his steps have yielded no results. This has left the Olusola family in a constant state of anxiety and fear over what may have happened.

Who is Olusola James?

Olusola James is described by his family as a calm, intelligent, and focused young man. He is a 400-level student studying at the University of Lagos. Known to friends and classmates as a quiet and respectful individual, James has never been in trouble and has no known issues that might suggest he would vanish on his own.

His sister Joy further explained that James had never previously gone missing or stayed out of contact for long. The sudden nature of his disappearance and the lack of any clues have made this case particularly worrying.

Family’s Frustration with the Police

The Olusola family has openly expressed their disappointment and frustration with the Nigerian Police Force, alleging that the authorities have not handled the case with the urgency it deserves. Despite reporting the case almost immediately after James went missing, the family claims that police investigations have been slow, with very little progress made so far.

Joy said the family has made multiple visits to police stations, filed reports, and even tried to follow up personally, but they have not seen any serious efforts or meaningful feedback.

“It’s like we are the only ones searching. We’ve gone from place to place. We’ve gone to mortuaries, hospitals, everywhere you can think of. The police are not giving us hope or updates. We are very scared, and every day that passes makes it worse,” she lamented.

Calls for Public Support and Social Media Awareness

In a bid to increase awareness and speed up the search, the family has taken their appeal to social media platforms, begging Nigerians to share James’ picture and details widely. They believe that with enough public attention, someone may come forward with useful information.

They have also urged bloggers, journalists, and influencers to highlight James’ case and continue putting pressure on the authorities to act.

“If you see this or know anything, no matter how small, please reach out. We’re not trying to blame anyone; we just want him back safely. Help us bring James home,” Joy pleaded.

Security Concerns for Students in Lagos

The disappearance of James Olusola has also raised questions about student safety in Lagos and Nigeria in general. Many young people across the country travel daily using ride-hailing services, public buses, or motorcycles. The lack of proper tracking, accountability, and enforcement has made it difficult to ensure their safety, especially when traveling alone.

UNILAG, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious universities, is home to thousands of students from all parts of the country. With the campus located in a bustling and sometimes chaotic area of Lagos, students often venture off campus for academic or personal reasons. The university management is yet to release a formal statement on James’ disappearance, but many students are now more cautious about their movement.

What You Can Do to Help

The Olusola family is appealing to members of the public to assist in any way they can. If you have seen James, have any information about his last known location, or even noticed something unusual in the Idumota or UNILAG area around the time he went missing, you are encouraged to speak up.

Please contact any of the following numbers with relevant information:

• Jerry Olusola – 0810 598 0316

• Nelson – 0915 985 5961

• Or visit the nearest police station to report any helpful information.

Even the smallest detail could make a big difference. If you operate a business in the Idumota area and have CCTV footage from May 9, 2025, especially between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., please consider reviewing it for any signs of James.

Missing Person in Lagos: A Broader Issue

Unfortunately, James is not the first person to go missing in Lagos, and the lack of swift police action in such cases has been a repeated concern. Families often feel abandoned by the system and are left to lead investigations themselves. This leads to delays that can be life-threatening.

Security experts have urged the government to invest in better surveillance systems, improve the police response time, and enforce regulations on ride-hailing operators. Citizens are also advised to always share their trip details with trusted family or friends whenever possible.

How You Can Stay Safe

While we continue the search for James, it's important for all Nigerians—especially students and young adults—to take precautionary steps when moving around Lagos and other major cities:

• Always share your trip details with someone close to you.

• Avoid traveling alone at odd hours, especially in unfamiliar areas.

• Use trusted ride-hailing services and always check driver identity.

• Stay alert and avoid distractions like phone calls or headphones when walking alone.

• Install location-sharing apps for emergency situations.

Conclusion: Help Us Find Olusola James

It has now been more than three weeks since Olusola James went missing, and his family is running out of time and hope. The pain of not knowing where a loved one is can be unbearable, and their only wish is to bring James home safely.

The family continues to appeal to the public, police authorities, and the media to keep the search alive. They have promised to remain strong, but they need support—emotional, practical, and informational—from everyone who can help.

Please don’t ignore this story. Share it. Post it. Talk about it. And most importantly, if you know anything, speak up. The life of a young Nigerian student may depend on it.