The bereaved family of the 27-year-old Nigerian father of two, Nathaniel Favour Enemona, whose lifeless body was discovered in River Roch in Greater Manchester almost three weeks after he was declared missing, are mourning his demise.

He was reported missing from the Roch Valley area at around 9am on Sunday, November 24.

Members of the community in Heywood pulled together in efforts to help find Nathaniel, while police searched the River Roch on a number of occasions.

Tragically, his body was pulled from the water on Saturday, December 14, before he was identified on Sunday.

In a statement issued through Greater Manchester Police, Nathaniel’s family said: “Nathaniel was a loving man and daddy, he was the most loving and caring husband and dad who always put his family first.

“A good friend to all and a keen singer song writer. Favour will be eternally missed and will never leave our hearts.

“We ask for time and peace to process the tragic loss we feel as a family. We want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Heywood for the outpouring of love and support they have shown.”

Police said at the weekend that Nathaniel’s death was not being treated as suspicious.

An inquest is expected to take place at a later date.

Speaking previously to the Manchester Evening News, Nathaniel’s wife Eunice said he had left his phone at home when he told her he was going to the shops on November 24.

He left their home in Heywood at around 8.30am, before a dog walker said they saw him in a ‘sleepy state’ a short time later, sitting on a wall beside the river – which was fast-flowing following Storm Bert.

When she returned, Nathaniel had vanished, but his slider-style footwear had been left behind.

The walker recognised Nathaniel, who regularly visited the beauty spot near the Heywood Waterfall, and immediately rang the police.