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 across the community following the controversial death of Mary Habila.
Information made available by the council states that the exercise is known traditionally as “Isu Arua,” and it will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Residents have been directed to remain indoors during the period of the exercise as part of efforts aimed at promoting peace, unity and spiritual renewal within the community.
The announcement was contained in a public notice issued by the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council, led by HRH Eze Lazarus N. Umahi.
The notice stated that all arrangements for the traditional rite had been completed and urged residents to comply fully with the directive.
Under the curfew order, all markets, shops, businesses, commercial activities, social events and public gatherings are expected to remain shut between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the day of the exercise.
The council described the event as a sacred tradition intended to cleanse the community and strengthen efforts towards maintaining peace and order.
It called on indigenes, residents and visitors to cooperate with community leaders throughout the exercise.
The notice was signed by Chief Nicholas Odi, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers council.
Recall, th controversy surrounding Mary Habila’s death deepened after Senator David Umahi publicly broke his silence and called for a forensic examination to determine the exact cause of her death.
The Minister of Works acknowledged that Habila died within his residential compound in Uburu and insisted that the circumstances of her death should be subjected to a thorough and transparent investigation.
Umahi maintained that establishing the truth was important for both the deceased’s family and the wider public.
In a formal request made through his legal representatives, the minister urged the police to ensure that a comprehensive autopsy was conducted before the release of the body for burial.
According to the letter, Umahi stated: “In view of the circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased, and in the interest of justice, transparency, and the due administration of criminal justice, our Client respectfully requests that the Nigeria Police Force cause a comprehensive autopsy to be conducted on the remains of the deceased.”
The minister also argued that a scientific examination was necessary to remove speculation and determine the actual circumstances surrounding her death.
“This request is made to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, eliminate speculation, and ensure that the true cause of death is conclusively determined before the remains are interred,” the letter added.
Umahi later told journalists that Habila had worked closely with him for several years and described her as someone he regarded “like a daughter.”
He said her death came as a personal shock and rejected attempts to politicise the incident.
The matter, however, took another turn after members of Habila’s family opposed plans for an autopsy and demanded the immediate release of her body for burial.
Her father publicly stated that the family did not suspect anybody of wrongdoing and preferred to proceed with burial arrangements without further delay.
Despite the family’s position, the Ebonyi State Police Command maintained that a post-mortem examination remained necessary because of the sensitive nature of the case.
They said the investigation would continue in a professional, transparent and impartial manner until all relevant facts surrounding the incident are established.