NANS, NAUS Demand Thorough Probe Into Death of Nurse Mary Habila

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of University Students (NAUS) have called for a transparent and impartial investigation into the death of Miss Mary Habila, a nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, who died on 27 June 2026 at the country home of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.

In a joint statement, the Senate President of NANS, Ibeabuchi Onyia, and the President of NAUS, Meshach Nwankwo, described Habila’s death as shocking and heartbreaking, extending condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. The associations said the actual circumstances surrounding her death should be established through a credible and unbiased inquiry, while cautioning the public against prejudging the matter or exploiting it for personal interests, noting that it is already before a competent court.

According to the Ebonyi State Police Command, Habila and a colleague were part of a medical team attached to Umahi and had travelled with him to his hometown, Uburu, in Ohaozara Local Government Area, where she was later found dead in a staff building within his residence. The command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said police received a distress call on the day of the incident and that the Divisional Police Officer was informed by hospital authorities that Habila had been brought in dead. The case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, and detectives have visited the scene and taken statements from witnesses.

The police say a post-mortem examination is necessary to determine the cause of death, even though Habila’s family has expressed opposition to an autopsy. Habila’s family has scheduled her burial for Friday, 17 July 2026, at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Nok, in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Umahi, through his lawyers, Roy O. Umahi and Roy D. Umahi, SAN, has separately petitioned the police to conduct a forensic autopsy before the body is released, saying the procedure should involve qualified forensic pathologists. His legal team said Habila did not share living quarters with the minister, and that the building where she died was reserved for staff and other personnel attached to him.

Speaking on the matter, Umahi said it was Habila’s own family who forced open her room after becoming concerned about her welfare, and that doctors from the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital were called in an unsuccessful attempt to revive her. He said the police were notified immediately and rejected suggestions that the case had been handled secretly. The minister added that he has instructed his lawyers to pursue legal action against people he accused of circulating false reports about the case on social media.

NANS and NAUS commended Umahi for requesting the autopsy, describing it as a step toward justice. The Nigerian Women International Alliance has also written to President Bola Tinubu asking for an independent and transparent probe, saying the request was not an accusation against anyone and stressed the constitutional presumption of innocence.

The Ebonyi State Police Command says its investigation, including the post-mortem examination, is ongoing.