The Executive Chairman of the Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Larai Ishaku, has described Nurse Mary Habila as a committed and responsible healthcare professional who dedicated her service to supporting the health needs of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the family of the late nurse, the chairman said Mary was a member of the medical team assigned to provide healthcare support to Umahi and worked alongside other colleagues in ensuring that his medical needs were properly attended to.
“According to the family, the late Mary Habila was a staff member of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State. She was widely described as a promising, dedicated, and responsible young nurse whose life was cut short at a time when she had a bright future ahead of her,” Ishaku said.
“During my interaction with her father, Baba Habila, he explained that his late daughter had served as part of the medical team attached to the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency David Umahi, alongside other colleagues, for over three years. According to him, the Minister and his family maintained a cordial and supportive relationship with Mary and the other staff members assigned to the residence.
“Baba Habila further stated that, before her passing, Mary had informed her fiancé during a telephone conversation that she had experienced a nosebleed the previous night.
“He recounted that on the morning of 27th June 2026, when Mary did not come out for breakfast, her colleagues became concerned. After repeated attempts to reach her proved unsuccessful, they forced open the door to her room and found her lying lifeless on the floor. The Honourable Minister was immediately informed, security agencies were invited to the scene, and her body was subsequently taken to the morgue”.
She stated that Mary carried out her duties with professionalism, compassion, and dedication, providing essential nursing care, monitoring health conditions, administering medical support as required, and working closely with other members of the medical team to promote the well-being of the minister.
Ishaku noted that the late nurse was a promising young healthcare worker whose commitment to duty reflected her passion for service and responsibility.
The Jaba council boss also disclosed the reason why Mary’s parents declined an autopsy for the body of their daughter.
“According to Baba Habila, his decision not to request an autopsy was based on his personal conviction that no medical examination could bring his daughter back to life. He further stated that he harbours no resentment towards the Honourable Minister of Works or his family, expressing confidence that his daughter lived a responsible and honourable life that never gave him cause for concern,” he said.
“He appealed to the public to allow his daughter to rest in peace and to refrain from unnecessary speculation surrounding the circumstances of her death.
“Baba Habila also made a passionate appeal to the relevant security authorities in Ebonyi State to facilitate the release of his daughter’s remains to the family so that she may be given a dignified and befitting burial in accordance with their customs, traditions, and wishes.”
Ishaku expressed deep sadness over her untimely demise, describing her as a hard-working professional whose life and contributions would be remembered by those who knew and worked with her.
The Chairman extended her condolences to the Habila family, praying that God Almighty grants them the strength to bear the loss and grants the soul of the departed eternal rest.
Habila was part of a medical team accompanying Umahi to his hometown in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, where she was allegedly found dead within his residential compound.
