Release our daughter’s body for burial, Habila’s family tells IGP

The family of the late Mary Habila has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, demanding the immediate release of her body for burial while rejecting calls for an autopsy.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday after submitting the petition, the family’s lawyer, Kaile Yusuf, said they had fulfilled all police requirements for the release of Habila’s remains but had yet to receive the body nearly three weeks after her death.

Yusuf alleged that the continued withholding of the body by the Ebonyi State Police Command was unjustified and claimed the case had become politicised.

He clarified that Habila was a nurse employed by the David Umahi University of Health Sciences, Uburu, before she was seconded to the office of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, where she worked for about three years.

According to him, the family possesses her employment records and salary documents confirming her status as a civil servant.

The lawyer said the family had unanimously rejected repeated requests for an autopsy by the Minister of Works, citing personal, cultural and traditional beliefs.

“The family has resolved and remains firm in its decision not to allow an autopsy for personal, cultural and traditional reasons,” Yusuf said.

He added that Habila had been working in Abuja before her death and dismissed allegations questioning her character.

Yusuf appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and direct the release of the body so the family could give her a proper burial.

Speaking separately, Habila’s father, Tanko Habila, said the family’s only desire was to bury their daughter, insisting they did not suspect anyone over her death.

“We don’t keep the body of a young child for this long. All I want is the corpse of my daughter so that we can bury her,” he said.

Responding to questions on whether the family supported an autopsy or suspected foul play, he said, “I don’t want an autopsy. I want the corpse of my daughter. I am not suspecting anybody. What has happened has happened. We only want to bury our daughter.”