Minister Confirms Physiotherapist Death, Calls for Autopsy

Nigerian Minister of Works David Umahi has confirmed the death of a physiotherapist, Mary Habila, at his private residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, and has publicly called for an autopsy to determine the cause. The incident, which occurred in late June, has drawn public scrutiny and prompted a police investigation.

In a statement issued on Saturday, July 11, by his media aide Francis Nwaze, Umahi described Habila's death as unfortunate and said he received the news with shock and sadness. He stated that emergency procedures were activated immediately, with medical personnel and the Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences contacted, and the police were promptly notified.

According to the minister's account, Habila and a colleague, Anita Baski, were employees of the university who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years. Umahi said that after Habila's death was confirmed, he personally met with her parents to offer condolences and advised the family to consent to an autopsy to scientifically establish the cause of death, but the family initially declined the recommendation.