The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death of 26-year-old nurse, Mary Habila, who died at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.
The command said the post-mortem examination remains a crucial part of its ongoing investigation and disclosed that it is awaiting the presence of the deceased’s family or their authorised representative before the procedure can be carried out.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the command said it received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Division regarding a medical emergency involving the deceased.
According to the statement, the DPO proceeded to the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu, where hospital officials informed him that Habila had been brought in dead.
The Commissioner of Police subsequently directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a detailed investigation.
Preliminary findings by investigators revealed that Habila and a colleague, Anita Baaki, were members of the medical team attached to Minister David Umahi and had accompanied him to his hometown when the incident occurred.
Police said the nurse was found dead in a room within the minister’s residential compound in Uburu.
Detectives have since visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant witnesses and commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The command disclosed that arrangements had been concluded to engage a pathologist to carry out a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
However, police said the deceased’s family had declined the request for an autopsy, insisting that the examination should not be conducted.
Despite the family’s position, the command maintained that an autopsy was necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the true cause of death.
The Ebonyi State Police Command assured the public that the investigation would be thorough, transparent and impartial, adding that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
