The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of its Cross River State Commander, Chief Narcotics Officer Ogbonna Uzoma.
The late Commander, who assumed duty on 18 August 2025, was found dead in his hotel room in Calabar on Thursday after failing to appear for official engagements.
In a statement on Friday, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that Ogbonna was due to lead his officers on operations at 10:00am. When he did not report by 9:00am, his colleagues, with hotel staff, went to check on him. After repeated knocks and phone calls went unanswered, hotel staff gained access to the room through the ceiling and sadly discovered his lifeless body.
The state police were immediately informed, with the Commissioner of Police personally visiting the scene. Investigations into the cause of death are ongoing. To support the inquiry, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.) directed the Zonal Commander, ACGN Mathew Ewah, to relocate to Calabar.
While the cause of death is yet to be determined, the NDLEA has expressed sympathy to the family. Marwa said, “The Agency stands with the family in this trying moment, and we pray that God will comfort them and grant the departed eternal rest.”
Though his time in Cross River was short, Ogbonna was described as active and dedicated, quickly engaging his officers in operational planning from the day he assumed duty.
