The Uburu Traditional Rulers Council in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has announced a community-wide spiritual cleansing exercise, declaring a dawn-to-dusk curfew across the ancient community weeks after the controversial death of 26-year-old Mary Habila at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
The announcement, contained in a public notice dated July 21, 2026, was issued by the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council under the leadership of its Chairman, His Royal Highness Eze Lazarus N. Umahi, the elder brother of the Minister of Works.
According to the notice, Thursday, July 23, 2026, has been designated for the traditional “Isu Arua” spiritual cleansing ceremony, a customary rite observed by the people of Uburu. The council stated that all preparations for the exercise had been concluded.
“The Uburu Traditional Rulers Council hereby announces that Thursday, 23 July 2026, has been set aside for the traditional ‘Isu Arua’ of Ndi Uburu. All preparations for this important spiritual exercise have been concluded,” the statement read.
To facilitate the observance of the traditional rite, the council imposed a community-wide curfew that will run from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the scheduled day.
During the period of the curfew, all commercial and social activities within the community are expected to come to a complete halt.
The council directed that businesses, markets, shops, commercial transactions, ceremonies, parties, social gatherings and every other public activity within Uburu remain suspended throughout the duration of the spiritual exercise.
“Accordingly, all businesses, markets, shops, commercial activities, social gatherings, parties, ceremonies and every other public activity within Uburu shall remain closed and suspended throughout the duration of the curfew,” the statement added.
The traditional institution appealed to indigenes, residents and visitors to fully comply with the directive, describing the exercise as a sacred cultural obligation aimed at promoting peace, renewal and spiritual cleansing within the community.
“The Council therefore enjoins all sons and daughters of Uburu, residents, visitors and the general public to comply fully with this directive as a mark of respect for this sacred tradition and in support of the spiritual cleansing, peace and renewal of our community against vices,” the notice stated.
The announcement was signed by Chief Nicholas Odi, Chief Media of the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council and President-General of Eweze Uburu Autonomous Community, on behalf of the council.
The declaration has attracted widespread public attention because it comes barely weeks after the controversial death of Mary Habila, a young health worker who died under disputed circumstances at Senator David Umahi’s residence in Uburu on June 27.
Residents familiar with the community’s customs told observers that while traditional cleansing rites are part of the cultural heritage of the people, a public announcement of this nature had not been made in recent years, making the timing of the exercise particularly significant.
The development has therefore generated public interest, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing police investigation into Habila’s death, which continues to dominate national discourse.
The late Habila died while attached to the Minister of Works’ medical team during an official visit to Uburu.
Following reports of her death, Senator Umahi confirmed that the incident occurred at his residence but maintained that there was no foul play.
The minister explained that Habila had been seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences to the Federal Ministry of Works and disclosed that he personally advised her family to consent to a forensic autopsy to establish the precise cause of death.
However, questions surrounding Habila’s professional status have continued to generate controversy.
While initial claims described her as a physiotherapist, subsequent findings indicated that she was a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW). The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy also stated that her name did not appear in its register of licensed physiotherapists, contradicting earlier claims about her professional designation.
The circumstances surrounding her death have equally remained the subject of intense public scrutiny.
Earlier reports indicated that Habila was allegedly found unclothed when her body was discovered inside the minister’s residence, a development that fuelled public concern and renewed calls for an independent, transparent investigation into the incident.
Police investigations remain ongoing, while authorities have insisted that a forensic autopsy is necessary to determine the exact cause of death.
The case has also been complicated by conflicting positions regarding the proposed autopsy.
While Senator Umahi has publicly supported a forensic examination, members of Habila’s family initially opposed the procedure on cultural grounds before later appealing for the release of her body for burial.
Meanwhile, Anita Baaki, a friend of the deceased who was also present at the residence when the incident occurred, has consistently maintained that there was no foul play in Habila’s death.
As investigations continue, attention has also shifted to the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), where Habila reportedly worked.
Minutes of an internal management meeting held on July 15 revealed that the university directed members of staff not to release information relating to Habila’s death without official authorisation.
During the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jesse Uneke, emphasised the need for staff members to protect the institution’s reputation and refrain from making unauthorised disclosures capable of undermining the university’s corporate image.
According to the meeting record, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that the integrity and reputation of the institution remained invaluable assets that every member of staff must consciously safeguard.
Staff members were further advised to obtain official information only through designated university offices authorised to communicate on behalf of the institution.
The university management also assured employees that it remained committed to transparency and would continue to provide all information necessary for the effective discharge of official responsibilities through appropriate channels.
Sources familiar with the meeting said the directive was intended to centralise communication relating to the ongoing investigation and prevent unauthorised disclosures that could conflict with the university’s official position.
With police investigations still underway and public interest in the case showing no signs of waning, the announcement of a community-wide spiritual cleansing by the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council has added another dimension to a case that continues to attract national attention.
Authorities have yet to announce the outcome of the ongoing investigation into Mary Habila’s death, while calls for a comprehensive, transparent and independent probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue from various quarters.
