Friday, July 10, 2026

NDLEA orders probe as Cross River commander dies in hotel room

Mr Marwa said Mr Uzoma, who resumed in Cross River on August 18, 2025, had lodged in a hotel while seeking suitable accommodation.

• September 19, 2025
Ogbonna Uzoma.
Ogbonna Uzoma.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has directed a probe into the sudden death of its Cross River State commander of narcotics (CN), Ogbonna Uzoma.

The NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, gave the directive on Friday in Maiduguri, Borno State, where he was attending a retreat for heads of agencies organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

In a statement by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, Mr Marwa ordered the zonal commander, Zone 14, ACGN Mathew Ewah, to relocate to Calabar to support the police investigation into the incident.

Mr Marwa said Mr Uzoma, who resumed in Cross River on August 18, 2025, had lodged in a hotel while seeking suitable accommodation.

“He was scheduled to lead his officers for engagements at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, but could not be reached earlier that morning.

“Officers, in the company of hotel staff, attempted unsuccessfully to contact him before a hotel attendant gained access to his room through the ceiling and discovered Uzoma was lifeless inside.

“The Cross River Commissioner of Police later visited the scene, and investigations into the cause of death are ongoing,” he said.

While consoling the family, Mr Marwa described the development as painful and prayed for God’s comfort and the repose of the late commander’s soul.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

FCT

Abuja

Julius Berger to maintain remodelled Abuja City Gate for sustainability: Wike

FCT minister Nyesom Wike says the FCT Administration would sign a memorandum of understanding with Julius Berger for the maintenance of the remodelled Abuja City Gate.

Education minister Tunji Alausa and director-general of NIMC, Bisoye Coker-Odusote

Education

Education ministry, NIMC to provide digital identity to 80 million Nigerian learners

Mr Alausa said a credible national identity system was essential for effective governance, quality education and sustainable economic growth.

TRAIN

Abuja

NRC targets better rail services through reviewed SOP

NRC has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing efficiency and delivering improved services by institutionalising robust standard operating procedures.

France vs Morocco

Sport

Mbappe, Dembele score as France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach World Cup semi-finals

Speaking after the match, Mbappe said, “There’s still a long way to go. We know that what’s coming is tougher than what we went through. We are ready for what’s next.”

President Bola Tinubu

Hot news Home top

I won’t betray Nigerians’ trust; my reforms will deliver better future: Tinubu

Mr Tinubu insisted that the ongoing reforms would eventually deliver lasting national prosperity.

Stock Market

Economy

Stock market transacts 1.66 billion shares, gains N962 billion

The uptrend was driven by broad-based buying interest across banking, consumer goods, industrial, insurance and telecommunications stocks.