Metro/Crime

Police insist on autopsy for 26-year-old nurse found dead at Umahi’s residence

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The Ebonyi State Police Command has requested for an autopsy to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of a 26-year-old nurse, Miss Mary Habila, at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

The command revealed it was awaiting the deceased’s family to proceed with the post-mortem examination as part of its ongoing investigation into her death.

In a statement made available on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said it received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer 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, on arrival at the hospital, the Divisional Police Officer was informed by medical personnel that Miss Habila had been brought in dead.

“He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation,” he said.

According to the police, preliminary findings revealed that the deceased and a colleague, Miss Anita Baaki, were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works, Engr. 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 a full-scale investigation into the incident.

It added that arrangements were underway 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 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 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 Ebonyi State Police Command assured the public of a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation and pledged to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.

The statement read in part, “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.

He said, “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.” he further said