Mary Habila’s Death: Ebonyi Community Declares Curfew, Announces Spiritual Cleansing

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 following the controversial death of Mary Habila at the residence of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.

The directive was contained in a public notice dated July 21, 2026, and 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, Thursday, July 23, 2026, has been set aside for the traditional “Isu Arua” of Ndi Uburu, with arrangements for the spiritual exercise already concluded.

The council said residents would observe a community-wide curfew from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the day of the exercise to enable the traditional rites to be carried out.

It directed that all businesses, markets, shops, commercial activities, social gatherings, parties, ceremonies and other public engagements within Uburu should remain suspended throughout the period of the curfew.

The council urged residents, indigenes, visitors and members of the public to comply with the directive, describing the exercise as a demonstration of respect for the community’s sacred tradition and a move towards spiritual cleansing, peace and renewal.

The notice stated, “All Ndi Uburu are expected to respect and observe this sacred tradition as we seek spiritual cleansing, peace and renewal for our community.”

The announcement comes weeks after the death of Mary Habila at the Uburu residence of Senator David Umahi, an incident that has generated public interest and is currently being investigated by the police.

Umahi had confirmed that Habila died at his residence, explaining that she was a physiotherapist seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) to the Federal Ministry of Works.

The minister has maintained that the circumstances surrounding her death would be addressed through due process, as investigations continue.