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 community, weeks after the controversial death of a young woman, Mary Habila, at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
The announcement, contained in a public notice dated Tuesday, July 21, 2026, was issued by the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council, headed by HRH Eze Lazarus N. Umahi, the eldest brother of the Minister of Works.
According to a copy of the announcement received by SaharaReporters and released by the council, Thursday, July 23, 2026, has been set aside for the traditional “Isu Arua” of Ndi Uburu, with all preparations for the exercise already concluded.
The statement read: “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.”
It added that, “In observance of this solemn rites, the Council has declared a community-wide curfew from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, 23 July 2026.”
The council further directed that, “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.”
Calling on residents and visitors to comply with the directive, the council stated: “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 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 development comes after the death of Mary Habila.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the exercise has raised eyebrows because such a public announcement of a spiritual cleansing in the community had not been made in a long while before now, coming amid ongoing public attention surrounding Habila’s death.
SaharaReporters had exclusively reported that Habila died at the residence of Senator David Umahi on June 27.
This newspaper also reported that she was allegedly found naked when her body was removed from the minister’s quarters, a development that intensified public outrage and renewed calls for accountability.
Following SaharaReporters’ reports, Umahi confirmed that Habila died at his residence. He maintained that she was a physiotherapist seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences to the Federal Ministry of Works and said he had advised her family to consent to a forensic autopsy to establish the cause of death.
As previously reported by SaharaReporters, multiple sources alleged that the minister sought to have the investigation transferred from the Ebonyi State Police Command to Abuja, alongside plans to move Habila’s body to the Federal Capital Territory for a forensic autopsy.
Sources further alleged that the request followed widespread public outrage over the death and the suspension of Habila’s planned burial after demands for an independent investigation intensified.
SaharaReporters also exclusively reported that Habila was a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW), contrary to claims by Umahi’s media aide that she was a physiotherapist attached to the Federal Ministry of Works.
Anita Baaki, a friend of Habila who was also at the minister’s residence when Habila died, attended a press briefing and has maintained that there was no foul play in Habila’s death.
Habila died under controversial circumstances at Umahi’s residence in Uburu, sparking widespread public concern and an ongoing police investigation.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the management of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, Ebonyi State, directed members of staff not to release information relating to the death of Mary Habila to the public without authorisation, according to minutes of an internal management meeting obtained by SaharaReporters.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with its highlights circulated to academic staff the following day, came after SaharaReporters published a series of reports on Habila’s death, which drew widespread public attention.
Minutes of the meeting show that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jesse Uneke, repeatedly stressed the need for staff members to protect the institution’s image and refrain from making unauthorised disclosures concerning university affairs.
According to the meeting highlights, the Vice-Chancellor said “the integrity and reputation of DUFUHS remain priceless institutional assets which every staff member must consciously protect.”
The document further stated that he “cautioned against the unauthorized release of official information capable of misrepresenting the University or undermining its corporate image.”
It added that staff members “were advised to obtain official information only through the appropriate offices legally empowered to communicate on behalf of the University.”
The communiqué also noted that the Vice-Chancellor assured staff that “his administration remains committed to transparency and would continue to make all information necessary for the effective discharge of official responsibilities and staff welfare readily available.”
Sources familiar with the meeting told SaharaReporters that the management convened the session partly to forestall the unauthorised release of information relating to Habila’s death and ensure that all official communication on the matter remained under the control of the university’s leadership.