NDLEA Confirms Death Of Cross River Commander In Hotel Room
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the sudden death of its Cross River State Commander, CN Ogbonna Maurice Uzoma, in a hotel room in Calabar.
Uzoma, who assumed duty on August 18, 2025, had only recently taken charge of the command. Pending permanent accommodation, he was lodging in a hotel.
According to the agency, the incident was reported to its Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), while he was attending a retreat for heads of agencies organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Friday that the late commander was scheduled to lead officers for engagements at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
When he could not be reached by 9 a.m., his officers, together with hotel staff, went to his room.
“Attempts by the hotel staff to open or force the door open from outside failed, after which one of the hotel 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,” Babafemi said.
He added that the Cross River State Police Command was immediately alerted, with the Commissioner of Police personally visiting the scene.
“The Police Command in the state was promptly alerted after which the Commissioner of Police personally visited the scene while the police continued with investigation of the cause of death,” Babafemi stated.
To support the probe, Marwa directed the Zonal Commander, Zone 14, ACGN Mathew Ewah, to relocate to Calabar.
“While commiserating with the family of the deceased senior officer, Marwa said the Agency stands with the family in this trying moment, and prayed that God will comfort them and grant the departed eternal rest,” Babafemi added.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
