The Ebonyi State Police Command has said it will proceed with a post-mortem examination to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the Uburu residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed that investigators had already launched a full-scale inquiry into the incident and were awaiting the presence of the deceased’s family or their representatives before carrying out the examination.
According to the police, Habila was among the medical personnel attached to the minister and had travelled with him to his hometown in Ebonyi State. Preliminary investigations indicate that she died inside a room within the minister’s compound.
The matter first came to the attention of the authorities on June 27, 2026, when the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Division reportedly received a distress call concerning a medical emergency involving the physiotherapist. The officer subsequently proceeded to the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital in Uburu.
Upon arriving at the hospital, medical officials informed the police that Habila had been brought in dead. The development prompted the Commissioner of Police to order an immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation.
Ukandu noted that detectives had since visited the scene of the incident and taken statements from individuals considered relevant to the case. He added that a pathologist would be engaged to conduct an autopsy aimed at establishing the exact cause of death and supporting the ongoing investigation.
The police spokesman also revealed that the deceased’s family had expressed reservations about an autopsy being performed. However, the command maintained that the procedure was necessary given the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
“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,” the statement read.
Reassuring the public, the police said the investigation would be carried out with transparency and impartiality, stressing that no conclusions would be drawn until all relevant facts had been established.
Authorities further pledged to provide additional updates as inquiries continue into the death of the physiotherapist.
