Mary Habila Quietly Buried In Kaduna Amid Autopsy Dispute, Unresolved Questions Over Death At Umahi’s Residence

Mary Habila, a 26-year-old physiotherapist working for the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, passed away on June 27, 2026, at Umahi's private residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The news of her untimely death caused widespread outrage across Nigeria, with many demanding answers about the circumstances surrounding her demise.

Some Nigerians even called for an autopsy to uncover the cause of her death, while others urged the suspension of the minister. In response to her passing, the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council in Ohaozara Local Government Area announced a communal spiritual cleansing and imposed a curfew from dawn to dusk. Ebonyi State Police Command also insisted on conducting a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of her death.

However, Dave Umahi, the minister, vehemently denied any involvement in his employee's death. He expressed frustration that the tragedy had been politicized, stating that power and might belong to God, not social media. Umahi's concern was that the death had been exploited by those seeking political gains. He questioned the role of the President in sacking him, given the sudden shift in attention toward his personal life. Mary Habila was laid to rest in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, her hometown.