The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting a post-mortem examination into the mysterious death of Mary Habila, a 26-year-old physiotherapist found dead in the Ebonyi State home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, despite her family’s objections and plans for an immediate burial.

The command said preliminary findings showed that the deceased and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the minister and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she died in a room within the compound of his residence.

Public Relations Officer of the police command, SP Joshua Ukandu, in a statement on Wednesday, said the police had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

He said detectives had visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons, adding that the command would engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death and support the ongoing investigation.

According to the statement, the police received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ohaozara Division, regarding a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.

“On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Miss Mary Habila had been brought in dead.

“He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation,” Ukandu stated.

He added that preliminary findings indicated that the deceased and a colleague were part of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to Uburu, where she died.

Ukandu said the family of the deceased had expressed opposition to an autopsy on their daughter, but the command considered the examination necessary due to the circumstances surrounding the case.

“The Command therefore awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination,” he said.

The police spokesman assured the public that the investigation would be conducted in a thorough, transparent and impartial manner.

Ukandu added that further updates would be provided as the inquiry progresses.

But while the police insisted on conducting thorough investigation into Habila’s sudden death, her family rejected the move saying it had no suspicion of any foul play in their daughter’s death.

The family has formally filed an affidavit before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State, rejecting an autopsy on her body and requesting the discontinuation of further police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to the affidavit deposed to by her father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The document states that Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja, where she served for about three years.

It further states that she worked as a personal nurse to the Minister of Works and members of his immediate staff, residing at the minister’s official guest house in Abuja and staff quarters in Ebonyi State.

The affidavit also acknowledges that the Minister of Works requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

However, the family said it would not consent to the procedure, insisting that it wanted her body and organs left intact in accordance with its wishes.

The family further requested that the investigation be discontinued, that Habila’s body be released for burial, and stated that it would not honour any future invitations from the police or the courts regarding the matter, maintaining that it does not suspect any foul play.

While reiterating that the police release their daughters corpse for burial the father stated that. ” I was never induced, coerced or influenced in any way with anything or by anybody to make these depositions, “as everything deposed here reflect the sincere wishes of my family and I.”

The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the abduction of a school principal, students and a National Examinations Council (NECO) official in Kogi State while the students were writing their examination.

Obi described the incident as heartbreaking and deeply troubling, saying it underscored the worsening insecurity in the country and the growing threat to Nigeria’s education system.

He said it was unacceptable that innocent children could no longer attend school, study or sit for national examinations without the fear of criminal violence, warning that the situation reflected how insecurity had eroded the sanctity of educational institutions and the safety of citizens.

According to him, the development is particularly disturbing at a time when education remains Nigeria’s most critical asset for national development and economic growth.

“Our schools must never become theatres of fear; they should symbolise hope and the promise of a better future, not terror and uncertainty,” Obi said.

He called on security agencies to act with urgency by deploying every available resource to secure the safe and unconditional rescue of all those abducted.

Obi also urged governments at all levels to take deliberate measures to strengthen security around schools and restore public confidence in the nation’s education system.

He expressed sympathy with the affected families, the school community and the people of Kogi State, insisting that the recurring attacks on schools must not be allowed to become the norm.

“We cannot continue to normalise these recurring tragedies. A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its children is mortgaging its future,” he said.

Obi reiterated his belief that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified pressure on the Federal Government over the death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who was found dead in the Ebonyi residence of David Umahi, Minister of Works.

The party demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her reported death at the residence of the Minister.

The opposition party also urged Umahi to step aside to allow an independent panel probe the case.

Works Minister David Umahi and Mary Habila

It argued that such a move is necessary to guarantee public confidence in the outcome of the probe.

ADC made the demands in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

The party maintained that the death of a citizen inside the residence of a serving cabinet minister is a matter of public interest that requires full transparency and accountability.

It said questions surrounding Habila’s presence at the minister’s residence and the events leading to her death remain unanswered.

According to the party, only an inquiry conducted outside the influence of the Executive can establish the facts and restore public confidence.

“We therefore call for an independent investigation that is completely removed from the control or influence of the Executive.

“This inquiry must include a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of Ms Habila’s death and a public report of its findings,” the statement said.

The ADC argued that anything short of an independent probe would only fuel public suspicion and weaken trust in state institutions.

It further alleged that the Tinubu administration has repeatedly failed to subject senior government officials facing serious allegations to independent scrutiny.

The party accused the administration of shielding political appointees whenever controversies emerge.

It said the pattern had created “scandal insurance” for top government officials.

“The Tinubu administration appears more eager to defend reputations than to establish facts and submit to accountability,” Abdullahi said.

The opposition party described the incident as one that goes beyond politics, insisting that the death of a young woman in the residence of a serving minister demands exceptional openness.

It therefore insisted that Umahi should vacate office temporarily until an independent investigation is concluded.

“The least that should be expected is that the Minister, namely Senator David Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation,” the statement added.

The ADC warned that failure by President Bola Tinubu to insist on accountability would reinforce public perception that his administration protects senior officials from scrutiny.

It said Nigerians deserve the truth about the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death, while her family deserves justice.

The party also extended condolences to Habila’s family, urging the authorities to ensure that the investigation is transparent and its findings made public.

Mary Habila’s death sparked nationwide attention after reports emerged that the young physiotherapist died under unclear circumstances at the Ebonyi residence of the Minister.

The Ebonyi State Police Command subsequently transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while the cause of death remains unknown.

Umahi has denied any wrongdoing, insisting there was no attempt to conceal the incident.

He said Habila was among medical personnel attached to the Federal Ministry of Works and disclosed that he advised her family to approve an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The incident has since attracted calls for an independent investigation from opposition parties and civil society groups. (Daily Trust)