The family of Mary Habila, the nurse who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, seeking the release of her remains for burial.
Mary’s father, Tanko Habila, accompanied by his wife, other family members and their legal representatives, submitted the petition at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday before addressing journalists.
The grieving father expressed frustration that nearly two weeks after his daughter’s death, the Ebonyi State Police Command had yet to release her body to the family.
According to him, the family is not interested in conducting an autopsy and only wants to give their daughter a dignified burial.
“As we are standing here, somebody can fall and die. It has happened. All we want is her body to be buried,” Tanko Habila said.
The petition comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the circumstances of Mary Habila’s death, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, previously calling for an autopsy to determine the actual cause of her death.
The family is now urging the police authorities to intervene and facilitate the immediate release of her remains to enable funeral arrangements.
