Coventry student Ozeivo Akerele: Canals to be searched

Canals in Coventry are to be searched in a bid to find a missing student from Nigeria, police have said.

Ozeivo Akerele, 24, was last seen at the city's Iglu nightclub on Spon Street, at 03:30 GMT on 31 January.

He had started a Masters degree at Coventry University, just weeks after arriving in the UK.

Officers handed out flyers to Coventry City fans outside the Ricoh Arena on Saturday and said they planned to focus on canals in the area next week.

Mr Akerele's mother, meanwhile, has been handing out flyers in the city centre.

"The police are trying their best, but we don't have information to work on," she said.

"I believe my son is alive. I don't know where he is, but I know he'll come out alive."

Mrs Akerele was due to fly home to Abuja last week, but said she planned to stay until he was found.

"I've been phoning my other children at home and searching Coventry for Ozzy," she said.

"I have not considered going home without him."

Ozeivo Akerele, 24, was last seen at Iglu nightclub in the early hours of 31 January

West Midlands Police believe Mr Akerele may have been on the Foleshill Road, between Park Street and the A444, at about 07:00 on the 31 January.

He called friends for a lift from Coventry University but when the car arrived he was not there and has not been seen since.

Mr Akerele is described as black, 6ft 2ins tall and slim. He was last seen wearing jeans, blue and white Converse trainers and a grey or black jacket.