The Ebonyi State Police Command has demanded an autopsy for a 26-year-old nurse, Miss 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.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 15, the command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said it was awaiting the deceased’s family to proceed with the post-mortem examination as part of its ongoing investigation into her death.
The Command said it received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohaozara Division, reporting a medical emergency involving the deceased and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
According to the statement, the DPO was informed by medical personnel upon arrival at the hospital that the deceased, Miss Habila, had been brought in dead.
“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,” the statement read.
The police said preliminary findings revealed that the deceased and a colleague, Miss Anita Baaki, were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she reportedly died in a room within the compound of his residence.
The command said detectives had since visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant persons, and commenced an investigation into the incident.
It added that arrangements were being made to engage the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the actual cause of death and aid the ongoing investigation.
However, the police command said the deceased’s family had declined its request for an autopsy, insisting that the examination should not be carried out.
Despite the family’s position, the command maintained that its demand for an autopsy remained necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the true cause of death.
The police said they were awaiting the attendance of the deceased’s family or their duly appointed representative, stressing that their presence was essential for the conduct of the post-mortem examination.
The command further assured the public of a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation and pledged to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
