Family Announces Burial Date for Nurse Found Dead at Nigerian Minister’s Home
Nurse Found Dead – The family of 26-year-old Mary Habila has announced that her funeral will take place on July 17, 2026, in Kaduna State, as police investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding her death at the home of Nigeria’s Works Minister, David Umahi .
Mary Habila, popularly known as Mara, was found dead on June 27, 2026, at the minister’s official quarters in Uburu, Ebonyi State. According to reports, she was discovered unclothed before her body was removed from the residence, a detail that has fueled intense public interest nationwide.
Funeral Arrangements
A funeral notice released by the family confirmed that Habila was born on September 18, 2000, and passed away at age 26. Her funeral service is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Deeper Life Bible Church in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area, Kaduna State . Family members, friends, colleagues, and sympathisers are expected to gather in Nok to pay their final respects to the young healthcare professional .
However, the planned burial has become entangled with ongoing police investigations. The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting an autopsy before releasing the body, describing it as “a crucial step in its ongoing investigation”.
Minister’s Account of Events
Speaking publicly for the first time on July 16, 2026, Minister Umahi described Habila as “like a daughter” who had lived with his family for three years . He clarified that she was a nurse, not a physiotherapist, attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences.
According to Umahi, Habila had battled health challenges before her death and had been receiving treatment at a Turkish hospital, with his family footing the medical bills. He stated that the most recent treatment in April cost ₦2.2 million.
Umahi also recounted that shortly before her death, Habila had a phone conversation with her boyfriend, during which she complained of a nosebleed. After the call ended, attempts to reach her were unsuccessful. Colleagues reportedly broke down her door the following morning and found her dead, with the bathroom tap still running.
The minister maintains there was no foul play and has called for a full autopsy to establish the cause of death. He has also requested that the investigation be transferred to Abuja for transparency .
Police Investigation and Family Dispute
The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed that Habila was part of a medical team attached to the minister and had accompanied him to his hometown . Detectives have visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons.
However, a dispute has emerged between the police and the deceased’s family over the autopsy. The police insist the examination is necessary, but the family has reportedly objected on cultural grounds . The father, Baba Habila, stated he declined the autopsy “based on his personal conviction that no medical examination could bring his daughter back to life,” while expressing confidence that his daughter lived a responsible life .
As of the latest updates, no autopsy findings have been made public, and the exact cause of Mary Habila’s death has not been officially established
Nurse Found Dead
