The Uburu Traditional Rulers Council in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has declared a community-wide spiritual cleansing exercise and announced 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 decision was contained in a public notice dated July 21, 2026, 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” spiritual cleansing ritual of Ndi Uburu, with all preparations for the exercise already completed.
As part of the observance, a curfew will be enforced across the community from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., during which all businesses, markets, shops, commercial activities, social gatherings, ceremonies and other public events are to remain suspended.
The council urged residents, indigenes, visitors and the general public to comply fully with the directive, describing the exercise as a revered cultural tradition aimed at promoting spiritual cleansing, peace and renewal within the community.
The announcement comes amid heightened public interest following the death of Mary Habila at Senator Umahi’s residence in Uburu, an incident that is currently under police investigation.
Senator Umahi has confirmed that Habila died at his residence, stating that she was a physiotherapist seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) to the Federal Ministry of Works. Authorities have yet to conclude investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Comments