Nigeria's Minister of Works, David Umahi, has confirmed that Mary Habila died at his residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, while identifying her as a physiotherapist who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu.
The minister made the disclosure in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, following growing public attention over the circumstances surrounding Habila's death.
Umahi described the incident as "unfortunate" and said he received the news with "profound shock and sadness."
According to the statement, emergency measures were activated immediately after Habila was found unresponsive. Medical personnel, including the Chief Medical Director of DUFUHS, were contacted, while the Nigeria Police was notified in line with legal procedures.
The minister also said he met with Habila's parents after her death was confirmed, offered his condolences, and advised the family to approve an autopsy to establish the cause of death.
"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," the statement said.
Umahi renewed his call for an autopsy, maintaining that it remains the most credible way to determine what led to Habila's death.
> "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 added.
He also appealed to the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators and medical experts to complete their work without interference.
The minister's statement comes days after reports of Habila died under unclear circumstances at Umahi's country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State went viral.
According to the report, the incident occurred on June 27, 2026, a day after Habila and another woman, Anita Baski, reportedly arrived at the residence from Kaduna State. The publication, citing police sources, said the case has since been transferred from the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abakaliki for further investigation.
It was reported that Habila was found unresponsive inside the residence, prompting medical intervention and police notification. The publication said investigators are still working to determine the cause of her death.
The case has continued to attract public attention, with questions raised over the secondment of university hospital staff to the residence of the Minister of Works and calls for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Habila's death.
