Uburu Traditional Council Declares Spiritual Cleansing, Imposes Dawn-to-Dusk Curfew After Mary Habila’s Death
The Uburu Traditional Rulers Council in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has announced a community-wide spiritual cleansing exercise and imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew, weeks after the controversial death of Mary Habila at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
The development was contained in a public notice dated July 21, 2026, obtained by PulseNets. The notice was signed by Chief Nicholas Odi, Chief Media Officer of the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council and President General of Eweze Uburu Autonomous Community, on behalf of the council led by HRH Eze Lazarus N. Umahi.
According to the notice obtained by PulseNets, Thursday, July 23, 2026, has been set aside for the traditional “Isu Arua” of Ndi Uburu, with all arrangements for the spiritual cleansing exercise already concluded.
The council announced that a community-wide curfew would be enforced from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday to ensure the successful conduct of the traditional exercise.
Residents were informed that all businesses, markets, shops, commercial activities, social gatherings, parties, ceremonies and other public activities across Uburu would remain suspended throughout the duration of the curfew.
The council further appealed to residents, indigenes, visitors and members of the public to fully comply with the directive, describing the exercise as a demonstration of respect for the community’s sacred tradition and an important step towards spiritual cleansing, peace and renewal.
Also Read: Mary Habila: Outrage as Late Physiotherapist Found Dead at David Umahi’s Uburu Residence Set for Burial Amid Calls for Autopsy
The announcement comes weeks after the death of Mary Habila at Senator Umahi’s residence in Uburu, an incident that has generated widespread public attention and remains under investigation by the Nigeria Police Force.
As previously reported, Umahi confirmed that Habila died at his residence, maintaining that she was a physiotherapist seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) to the Federal Ministry of Works.
