Mary Habila Finally Buried: Family Reveals Cause of Death of Umahi’s Personal Nurse
Mary Habila, the 25-year-old woman whose death at the residence of Minister of Works David Umahi sparked widespread public attention and controversy, has finally been laid to rest.
Habila, popularly known as “Mara,” was buried in her hometown of Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Friday, August 21, 2026, several weeks after her death.
In a brief biography released by her family as part of her burial arrangements, the family disclosed that Habila had been living with a heart condition and had been diagnosed with a hole in her heart before her death.
According to the family, her condition became critical despite medical care, prayers and the support of her loved ones, before she eventually died following a cardiac arrest.
“Mary Habila lived with a heart condition, having been diagnosed with a hole in her heart,” the family stated.
The family described her as a sincere, respectful, obedient, loving and jovial young woman who was deeply loved by her parents, church members, friends and others around her.
Born on September 18, 2000, Habila was from Nok in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State. She was raised in the Deeper Life Bible Church, where her father is a pastor, and actively participated in the church’s children’s choir before later joining the youth church.
Professionally, Habila worked as a Community Health Extension Worker at Favoured Ground Clinic in Buka Sidi, Lafia, Nasarawa State. She later worked at Cherry Hills Pharmacy and Stores in Gwarin-Pa, Abuja.
The family said she subsequently worked as a personal nurse to Minister of Works David Nweze Umahi after meeting him through her work in Abuja.
Habila died on June 27, 2026, at the age of 25. Her death attracted significant public attention after she was found unresponsive at Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.
The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed that it received a distress call concerning a medical emergency involving Habila. She was taken to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
The circumstances surrounding her death subsequently generated public discussion and calls for further investigation.
An autopsy also became a major point of discussion following her death. The family had initially objected to the procedure, while the public and the Works Minister called for further clarification. A source later confirmed that the autopsy was eventually conducted and that Habila’s remains were released to her family ahead of her burial.
Following her burial, the family has now publicly highlighted Habila’s longstanding heart condition, saying she died following a cardiac arrest.
The family’s account provides its explanation of the medical condition Habila had reportedly lived with before her death, amid the controversy that followed her passing.
“Though her life was cut short, Mary will always be remembered for her strength in the face of adversity, the love she shared, and the lasting impact she made on everyone blessed to know her,” the family said.
Her burial has brought an end to weeks of uncertainty surrounding the final rites of the young health worker, whose death attracted widespread attention because of her connection to Umahi and the circumstances surrounding her death.
