The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The command said the autopsy was necessary to establish the exact cause of death and aid its ongoing investigation, despite opposition from the deceased's family.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed that detectives had launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons.

He said a pathologist would be engaged to conduct the post-mortem examination as part of efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding Habila's death.

According to Ukandu, preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of his residence.

The police spokesperson explained that the command received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohaozara Division concerning a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.

"On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Miss Mary Habila had been brought in dead. He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation," Ukandu said.

He noted that although Habila's family had rejected the proposed autopsy, the police considered the examination indispensable given the circumstances surrounding her death.

"The Command therefore awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination," he added.

Ukandu assured the public that the investigation would be carried out professionally, transparently and without bias, stressing that the command remained committed to uncovering the facts surrounding the incident.

He added that further updates would be made available as the investigation progresses.