What really happened? NDLEA probes death of its Cross River commander

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has ordered an investigation into the sudden death of its Cross River State Commander, Commander of Narcotics (CN) Ogbonna Uzoma.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), gave the directive on Friday in Maiduguri, Borno State, while attending a retreat for heads of agencies organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

According to a statement issued by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Marwa directed the Zonal Commander, Zone 14, ACGN Mathew Ewah, to relocate to Calabar to support ongoing police investigations.

The agency said Uzoma, who assumed duty in Cross River on August 18, 2025, was staying in a hotel pending the arrangement of permanent accommodation.

“He was scheduled to lead his officers for engagements at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, but could not be reached earlier that morning. Officers, in the company of hotel staff, made attempts to contact him without success. A hotel attendant later gained access to his room through the ceiling and found him lifeless inside,” the statement read.

The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State subsequently visited the scene, and investigations into the cause of death are ongoing.

Marwa, while consoling the bereaved family, described Uzoma’s passing as painful and prayed for God’s comfort and the repose of his soul.