The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting an autopsy on the body of 26-year-old nurse, Mary Habila, who was found dead at the country home of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the command was awaiting the presence of the deceased’s family to enable a post-mortem examination as part of its ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to the police, a distress call was received on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer in Ohaozara, informing the command of a medical emergency involving the deceased at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
Ukandu said that upon arrival at the hospital, the DPO was informed that Mary Habila had been brought in dead. The Commissioner of Police subsequently directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased, alongside a colleague, was part 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 said detectives have since visited the scene, obtained statements from relevant persons, and are preparing to engage a pathologist to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death and support the ongoing investigation.
However, the command disclosed that the deceased’s family has declined its request for a post-mortem examination, insisting that the procedure should not be carried out.
Despite the family’s position, the police maintained that an autopsy remains necessary due to the sensitive nature of the case and the need to establish the exact cause of death.
The command added that it is awaiting the attendance of the deceased’s family or their duly appointed representative, stressing that their presence is essential before the post-mortem examination can be conducted.