Breaking: NDLEA Cross River Commander Dies in Calabar Hotel
- NDLEA mourns the sudden death of Cross River State Commander, CN Ogbonna Uzoma, who was found dead in his Calabar hotel room on 18 September
- Police are investigating the cause of death after hotel staff discovered the commander’s body, with NDLEA zonal commander Mathew Ewah relocated to assist the inquiry
- NDLEA chairman Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.) vows a thorough investigation and expresses sympathy, noting that Ogbonna had been actively engaged since assuming office in August
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.
Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, confirmed on Friday, September 19.
Source: Twitter
NDLEA Commander discovered dead in hotel room
He further stated that the deceased commander, who took over duty on August 18, 2025, was discovered dead in his Calabar hotel room on Thursday, September 18, after he failed to turn up for the planned events.
Babafemi continued,
"Hotel staff attempts at opening or breaking open the door from the outside were in vain, and one attendant had to climb in through the ceiling vent to get into the room and open the inside door, where he discovered the body of the Commander."
Cross River: Police investigate cause of death
State police were immediately notified.
"The State Police Command was immediately informed and, thereafter, the Commissioner of Police himself went to the scene. The police are nevertheless continuing the investigation into cause of death," said Babafemi.
In support of the investigation, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), instructed the Zonal Commander, Zone 14, ACGN Mathew Ewah to move to Calabar.
The Chief Executive/Chairman has since directed the Zonal Commander to relocate to Cross River to assist police investigation," a statement further added.
Agency vows thorough investigation
Source: Twitter
Despite the cause of death still being unknown, the agency sympathised and committed to a rightful investigation. Marwa sympathised with the family and stated,
"The Agency is with the family during this challenging period, and we pray God will give them peace and eternal rest to the deceased."
Although Ogbonna was in Cross River for a short while, he was reported to have remained on his toes since he took over office. He returned to resume duties in August and was already broaching working plans with officers.
Egyptian dies in Abuja hotel
Previously, Legit.ng reported that a 56-year-old Egyptian national, Mohammed Saleh, slumped and died at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel in the Wuse Zone 4 area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The traffic incident happened on Friday night, September 5, 2025, while the deceased was having dinner with three other people in the hotel. Security expert Zazazola Makama said the hotel’s security supervisor, Francis Yusuf, reported the case to the Wuse Police Division at about 9:24 p.m. on Friday.
Makama disclosed this in a statement posted on his X handle @ZagazOlaMakama on Sunday, September 7, 2025. He further stated that sources said the corpse was deposited at the hospital morgue for possible autopsy.
Source: Legit.ng
