By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the sudden death of its Cross River State Commander, CN Ogbonna Maurice Uzoma.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), received the news on Thursday while attending a retreat for Heads of Agencies organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to a statement on Friday by the Agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Uzoma had only recently assumed duty in Calabar on August 18 2025, after being posted to head the Cross River Command. He was temporarily lodged in a hotel while arranging permanent accommodation.
Babafemi explained that Uzoma was expected to lead scheduled engagements at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 18. When colleagues could not reach him earlier that morning, they went to his hotel room with staff but repeated knocks and calls went unanswered, forcing staff to gain access through the ceiling. His lifeless body was discovered inside the room.
The Cross River State Commissioner of Police personally visited the scene as investigations into the cause of death commenced.
In response, Marwa directed the NDLEA Zonal Commander, Zone 14, ACGN Mathew Ewah, to relocate to Calabar to support the investigation and ensure operational continuity.
While mourning the late Commander, Marwa commiserated with his family and colleagues, praying for God’s comfort and the repose of his soul.
