Police Seek Autopsy For 26-Year-Old Nurse Found Dead At Umahi’s Residence

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 was found dead at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

The command said it was awaiting the presence of the deceased’s family or their authorised representative before proceeding with the post-mortem examination, describing it as essential to its ongoing investigation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the command received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Division, reporting a medical emergency involving Habila at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.

According to him, the DPO arrived at the hospital and was informed by medical personnel that the nurse had been brought in dead.

Ukandu said the Commissioner of Police immediately directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.

He said preliminary findings showed that Habila and a colleague, Anita Baaki, were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she reportedly died in a room within the compound of his residence.

The police spokesperson said detectives had visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant persons and commenced a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

He added that the command had concluded arrangements to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the actual cause of death and assist investigators.

However, Ukandu disclosed that Habila’s family had declined the police request for an autopsy, insisting that the examination should not be carried out.

Despite the family’s position, the police maintained that an autopsy remained necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the true cause of death.

The statement read, “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.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the deceased and a colleague formed part of the medical team attached to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she died in a room within the compound of his residence.

“The Command has since commenced a comprehensive investigation. Detectives have visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons. The Command is set to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination that will help determine the cause of death and support the ongoing inquiry.”

The command assured the public that the investigation would be thorough, transparent and impartial, adding that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

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