Mary Habila’s Death: Northern Youths Give Umahi Seven Days to Resign, Threaten Nationwide Protests

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called on the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to resign or be suspended within seven days over the death of 26-year-old Mary Habila, warning that it will mobilise nationwide protests if its demands are ignored.

The group said the minister should step aside to allow what it described as a transparent, independent and credible investigation into the circumstances surrounding the young woman's death.

Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, at a guest house within Senator Umahi's residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State. The incident has continued to generate widespread public attention, with police investigations still ongoing and no official conclusion yet announced regarding the cause of death.

In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Isah Abubakar, the NYCN urged the Nigeria Police Force to question the minister as part of its investigation and insisted that an independent autopsy should be carried out.

According to the group, any investigation must be conducted without external influence to ensure public confidence in the outcome.

"While we acknowledge the Minister's recent public statements demanding an autopsy, we reject any investigation conducted under his influence or within facilities tied to his administration," Abubakar said.

The council further demanded what it described as an internationally witnessed forensic autopsy to establish the exact cause of Habila's death, including determining whether there was any evidence of physical assault, sexual violence or forced ingestion of harmful substances.

The youth organisation expressed concern over reports surrounding the circumstances of Habila's death, arguing that the case deserved a thorough and transparent criminal investigation because it involved a senior government official.

According to the statement, the group believes the matter should be handled with the highest level of accountability to preserve public trust in the justice system.

The NYCN warned that failure by the Federal Government to suspend Umahi or commence what it considers a credible investigative process within seven days would trigger coordinated nationwide demonstrations.

"If the Federal Government fails to suspend Senator Dave Umahi and initiate a credible, uncompromised prosecution process within the next seven days, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, in partnership with allied civil society organisations and youth groups, will mobilise continuous nationwide protests," Abubakar stated.

The council said planned demonstrations would take place in Abuja, Kaduna and Ebonyi State, among other locations, until its demands are addressed.

The latest intervention adds to growing calls from individuals and organisations seeking greater transparency in the investigation into Habila's death.

Senator Umahi has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has publicly supported calls for a forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. He has also appealed to the deceased's family to consent to the procedure, saying the findings would help establish the facts surrounding the incident.

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that investigations remain ongoing, while no official findings have been released on the circumstances leading to Habila's death.