Mary Habila’s Family Petitions IGP, Demands Release of Remains for Burial

The family of late Mary Habila, the 26-year-old nurse who died at the residence of Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, in Uburu, Ebonyi State, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, demanding the immediate release of her remains for burial.

Mary’s father, Tanko Habila, accompanied by his wife, other family members and their lawyers, submitted the petition at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

Addressing journalists after the submission, Habila expressed sadness that almost two weeks after his daughter’s death, her body had yet to be released by the Ebonyi State Police Command.

He said the family’s priority was to take custody of Mary’s remains and give her a proper burial. According to him, the family was not interested in an autopsy and only wanted the release of her body.

“As we are standing here, somebody can fall and die. It has happened. All we want is her body to be buried,” Habila said.

The family’s demand comes amid ongoing public attention surrounding the circumstances of Mary’s death, which occurred at a guest house within the minister’s residence in Uburu.

The police had earlier indicated that investigations into the incident were ongoing, while calls have continued from various groups and individuals for a transparent probe into the circumstances surrounding the nurse’s death.

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) had also recently called for an independent autopsy and urged the government to suspend the minister to allow what it described as an impartial investigation.

Meanwhile, Senator Umahi has maintained that he supports a proper investigation into the matter and has called for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Further details on the family’s petition and the police response are expected as the matter develops.