The Ebonyi State Police Command has said it will proceed with a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The command said the autopsy was necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding her death, despite objections from the deceased’s family.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the command had launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, with detectives already visiting the scene and obtaining statements from relevant witnesses.
According to the statement, the police received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Division regarding a medical emergency involving Habila 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.
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He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation,” Ukandu said.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that Habila and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of his residence.
The command said a pathologist would conduct the post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death and provide forensic evidence to support the investigation.
While acknowledging the family’s opposition to an autopsy, Ukandu said the police considered the examination indispensable in view of 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 stated.
The police assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias, promising to provide further updates as inquiries continue.