The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of the death of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died under circumstances that have generated public concern in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Francis Nwaze, the Minister described the incident as shocking and expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.
The statement explained that immediately after the incident, medical personnel, including the Chief Medical Director of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUS), Uburu, were contacted, while the Nigeria Police was promptly notified in line with legal procedures.
According to the statement, Miss Habila and her colleague, Miss Anita Baski, are employees of DUFUS who had been on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works as physiotherapists for the past three years.
The Minister clarified that following confirmation of Miss Habila’s death, he met with her parents, sympathised with the family and advised that an autopsy be carried out to establish the exact cause of death. However, the family initially declined the recommendation.
Umahi said recent developments have reinforced the need for a scientific investigation and maintained that an autopsy remains the most credible means of resolving all questions surrounding the incident.
He urged the public to avoid speculation and allow the relevant authorities to carry out their investigations without interference, while reaffirming his sympathy and prayers for the bereaved family.
