Questions continue to surround the death of Mary Habila, a physiotherapist attached to Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, following reports that she died under unclear circumstances at the minister’s residence.
The incident has generated widespread public interest, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding her death.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant, Francis Nweze, confirmed Habila’s death and provided details about her employment.
According to the statement, both Mary Habila and Anita Baski are employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, who had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years.
The statement also disclosed that Minister Umahi advised the deceased’s family to permit an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.
However, the family reportedly declined the recommendation.
Following confirmation of Miss Habila’s passing, the Honourable Minister personally received her parents, conveyed his sincere condolences, and advised that an autopsy be conducted to scientifically establish the exact cause of death. At the time, however, the family declined the recommendation, the statement said.
It further clarified that Habila and Baski remained employees of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences throughout their secondment to the ministry.
The circumstances surrounding Habila’s death have sparked extensive reactions on social media, where many users have demanded a transparent investigation.
Some online commentators have questioned the events leading to her death and called on law enforcement agencies to establish the facts. Among them was journalist Fejiro Oliver, who argued that the incident warrants a comprehensive police investigation and raised several questions about the circumstances of Habila’s death.
Similarly, another X user, identified as Onu_Slim, called for greater public attention to the incident, while Henry Shield, Head of Mission at the Leadership and Accountability Initiative, claimed in a social media post that he had independently looked into aspects of the matter and urged authorities to investigate further.
These statements remain allegations made on social media and have not been independently verified by authorities.
As of the time of reporting, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement detailing the cause of Habila’s death or announcing the outcome of any investigation.
With the absence of an official medical or police conclusion, many Nigerians continue to await the findings of any formal inquiry that may establish what led to the physiotherapist’s death. Until then, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unresolved, and no official determination has been made regarding its cause.
