The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked three schools in Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

The victims regained their freedom after spending about 57 days in captivity following a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies.

During the initial attack, two teachers— Mr Michael Oyedokun and Mr Esiyan Adegboye —were killed by the abductors. While Adegboye’s body was recovered and buried shortly after the incident, Oyedokun’s remains have yet to be found.

His family has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde and security agencies to recover his body to enable them give him a befitting burial.

The rescue operation also claimed the lives of several military and other security personnel involved in securing the victims’ release, with the Oyo State Government paying tribute to their courage and sacrifice.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the bereaved families while honouring the memory of those who lost their lives in the line of duty and in the attack.

The legal advice noted that Habila was found alone and unresponsive in her apartment, adding that investigators were unable to determine what led to her death based on the available evidence.

According to the DPP, there was nothing in the investigation to suggest that Habila had any known illness or underlying health condition before her sudden death.

“There was no evidence that the deceased was indisposed, sick or unstable health-wise prior to her sudden death, as she was full of life at the time she returned to Uburu in company of her team,” the document stated.

The ministry argued that, in the absence of any known medical condition, a scientific examination was necessary to establish the actual cause of death.

“From the foregoing, therefore, the question that would readily come to mind is what exactly caused the deceased’s sudden death?” the DPP queried.

It maintained that a post-mortem examination remained the most appropriate means of providing investigators with a clear direction.

“This curiosity under the law can only be resolved through a post-mortem examination, so as to provide a clue to the police as to the direction of their investigation,” the legal advice added.

The Ministry of Justice further stated that the police could either honour the family’s reported wish to proceed with burial without an autopsy or exercise their statutory powers to order the examination.

“It is therefore the view of this office that the police invoke their discretionary power to either respect the request of the deceased’s family or proceed with the post-mortem examination,” the DPP stated.

The recommendation comes amid growing public interest and conflicting reports over the release of Habila’s body for burial.

Her father, Baba Habila, reportedly visited a morgue in Ebonyi State to receive her remains ahead of a planned burial in Nok, Kaduna State, but declined to comment to journalists.

The family was also reported to have indicated that it did not intend to request an autopsy.

However, Habila’s body had reportedly not been released as investigators continued to consider the Ministry of Justice’s recommendation.

According to reports, Habila arrived at Umahi’s residence on June 26 alongside another woman identified as Anita Baski and was found unresponsive the following morning.

The case was initially reported at the Ohaozara Divisional Police Headquarters before it was transferred to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Minister of Works David Umahi later confirmed that Habila died at his residence, describing her as a physiotherapist seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences to the Federal Ministry of Works.

Umahi also disclosed that he had encouraged the family to consent to an autopsy to establish the cause of death.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters, citing unnamed police sources, reported that investigators were examining aspects of Habila’s employment history and her relationship with the university and the Federal Ministry of Works.

The presidential hopeful described the death as a blow not only to the Okoye family and the wider Christian community but also to Nigeria as a nation, noting that the country currently stands in need of voices capable of fostering unity and healing.

He said: “His passing is a great loss to his family, the entire All Christians Fellowship Mission (ACFM), the Body of Christ, and our dear nation, Nigeria, at a time when our country yearns for voices that unite, heal, and inspire people to pursue justice, peace, and compassion.”

While acknowledging the grief surrounding the cleric’s departure, Obi struck a note of celebration, saying the life Rev. Okoye lived warranted recognition rather than grief alone.

He expressed confidence that the values the reverend championed would outlast his physical presence and continue shaping lives across generations.

Obi closed his tribute with a direct appeal, urging those who mourn the cleric to honour his memory by committing themselves to selfless living, sincere love, and diligent work toward building a just and peaceful Nigeria.

Obi concluded: “May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”