Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Cross River State Commander, Ogbonna Uzoma has been found dead in his hotel room in Calabar.
Until his death, he was said to be the Chief Narcotics Officer of the agency.
The late Commander had only recently taken up his new post on August 18, 2025, and was reportedly active in his role, engaging his team in operational planning and preparations.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the tragic discovery was made after Ogbonna failed to appear for a scheduled engagement.
“CN Ogbonna had been up and doing at his new Command and was billed to lead his officers on some scheduled engagements at 10am on Thursday 18th September 2025. But when his officers didn’t hear from him by 9am, they went to his hotel room in company of the hotel staff while several knocks at his door and calls to his telephone line went unanswered,” Babafemi said.
All efforts to gain entry into the room were initially unsuccessful.
“Attempts by the hotel staff to open or force the door open from outside failed, after which one of the attendants had to go through the ceiling aperture to enter the room and open the door from inside, where they found the Commander’s lifeless body,” he explained.
The Cross River State Police Command was immediately notified.
The state Commissioner of Police personally visited the scene, and a full investigation into the cause of death is currently underway.
To assist in the ongoing inquiry, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), has directed Zonal Commander of Zone 14, ACGN Mathew Ewah, to relocate to Calabar.
“The Chairman/Chief Executive has since directed the Zonal Commander to move to Cross River to assist police investigation,” Babafemi said.
Although the circumstances surrounding Ogbonna’s death remain unclear, the agency has pledged its full cooperation with authorities.
In his condolence message, Marwa expressed heartfelt sympathy to the family.
“The Agency stands with the family in this trying moment, and we pray that God will comfort them and grant the departed eternal rest,” he said.
Despite his short tenure in Cross River, Uzoma had already made a strong impression, immediately taking charge and involving himself in the Command’s activities.
His sudden passing has left a significant void in the agency’s leadership.