The Ebonyi State Police Command has said a post-mortem examination is necessary 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 disclosed on Wednesday that it was awaiting the cooperation of the deceased’s family to facilitate the autopsy as investigations into the incident continue.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the command said the case was reported on June 27, 2026, after the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Division received information about a medical emergency involving the deceased and proceeded to the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
According to the police, hospital officials informed the officer on arrival that Habila had been brought to the facility dead.
The matter was subsequently reported to the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a detailed investigation.
Preliminary findings by investigators indicated that Habila and another nurse, Anita Baaki, were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu.
The police said the deceased reportedly died in a room located within the compound of Umahi’s residence.
As part of the investigation, detectives have visited the scene, gathered evidence and obtained statements from individuals considered relevant to the case.
The command said it plans to engage a pathologist to carry out an autopsy, describing the examination as crucial to establishing the circumstances and cause of death.
However, police authorities disclosed that the deceased’s family had opposed the request for a post-mortem examination and expressed a preference that the procedure should not be conducted.
Despite the family’s reservations, the command maintained that an autopsy remains necessary given the nature of the case and the need to arrive at a definitive conclusion regarding the cause of death.
The police said they are awaiting the presence of family members or an authorised representative to enable the examination to proceed.
The command assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias, adding that further information would be made available as the probe progresses.