Physiotherapist Dies at Umahi’s Ebonyi Residence as Minister Calls for Autopsy

By Daniel Othegbemeh

A physiotherapist, Mary Habila, has reportedly died at the country home of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by Umahi’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Francis Nwaze.

Reacting to the incident, Umahi expressed sadness over Habila’s death and renewed his call for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, urging the public to refrain from speculation while investigations continue.

According to the statement, Habila was a physiotherapist employed by the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFHS), Uburu, and had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works for about three years alongside another physiotherapist, Anita Baski.

The statement said emergency medical personnel from DUFHS were contacted immediately after the incident, while the Nigeria Police was also notified.

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It added that Umahi met with members of the deceased’s family and advised them to permit an autopsy to establish the exact cause of death. However, the family reportedly declined the recommendation at the time.

The minister maintained that an autopsy remains the most reliable means of determining the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death and appealed to the family to reconsider in the interest of establishing the facts.

He also extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, describing her death as painful and praying that they find the strength to bear the loss.

As of the time of filing this report, the exact cause of Habila’s death had not been officially established.