EXCLUSIVE(Saharareporters): Minister David Umahi Addresses Physiotherapist Mary Habila's Death at Uburu Residence

Nigeria's Minister of Works, David Umahi, has publicly acknowledged the demise of Mary Habila within the confines of his Uburu, Ebonyi State home. The Minister further stated that Habila was a physiotherapist on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, having been deployed from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences. He has since renewed his call for an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of her death.

This confirmation follows an exclusive report by Saharareporters, which highlighted the secretive nature surrounding Habila's passing. Public concern has also been raised regarding the practice of seconding university hospital staff to the Minister's private residence for non-official duties.

In a press release issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, Minister Umahi characterized Habila's death as "unfortunate," expressing his "profound shock and sadness" upon receiving the news. The statement detailed that immediate emergency protocols were activated following the incident, with medical professionals, including the Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) in Uburu, contacted without delay. Furthermore, the Nigerian police were promptly informed, adhering to due legal process.

Umahi recounted that after Habila's death was confirmed, he personally met with her parents to offer condolences and advised them to consent to an autopsy for a scientific determination of the cause of death. However, the Minister noted that the family initially declined this suggestion.

He clarified, "It is important to clarify that Miss Mary Habila and Miss Anita Baski are employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years until the unfortunate passing of Miss Habila."

Amidst heightened public scrutiny, the Minister has reiterated his stance that an autopsy is imperative. He maintains that it remains the most credible method to unravel the mystery surrounding Habila's death and address lingering questions. "The Honourable Minister has again reiterated his position that an autopsy must be conducted. He remains convinced that this is the most credible and responsible path to resolving all questions surrounding the unfortunate incident," the statement affirmed.

Umahi appealed to the public to refrain from speculation, urging them to allow law enforcement agencies and medical experts to conduct their investigations without interference. Mary Habila's death has garnered significant public interest due to reports questioning the circumstances of her passing in Uburu, Ebonyi State, leading to widespread demands for a transparent inquiry.

Saharareporters had previously disclosed that Habila died under perplexing conditions inside the country home of Nigeria's Works Minister Umahi, situated in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Investigations by Saharareporters revealed that the incident had been shrouded in secrecy, with both the Ebonyi State Government and the state police command remaining silent.

Multiple police sources informed Saharareporters that the incident occurred on June 27, 2026, just one day after Habila and another woman, Anita Baski, both from Kaduna State, were reportedly brought to the Minister's residence. The death has since triggered a police investigation, with the case transferred from the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abakaliki.

According to police sources involved in the investigation, Habila and Baski arrived at the Minister's residence on June 26, 2026. The sources alleged that the two women were brought from Kaduna State to attend to the Minister. Habila was subsequently found deceased inside the residence the following morning, under circumstances that investigators are still working to establish.

Police sources indicated that Jonathan Bawado, a police officer serving as Senator Umahi's Personal Assistant and who previously acted as his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) during Umahi's governorship in Ebonyi State, alerted medical personnel after Habila was discovered unresponsive. Following this, a doctor and an ambulance were dispatched to the residence, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohaozara Police Division, CSP Tobechukwu Godwin, was duly informed. Professor Chihurumnanya Alo, a Consultant Public Health Physician, Infectious Diseases Specialist, and Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu, was also notified about the incident.