By Ayodele Oni
A curfew has been declared in Ohozara community, Ebonyi State, following the death of Mary Habila, a Nurse attached to the Minister for Works, David Umahi.
Traditional Rulers Council in Ohaozara Local Government Area explained that this was necessary to carry out spiritual cleansing.
The announcement was contained in a public notice 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 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 reads: “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.
“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 stated that a community-wide curfew would be observed from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday to allow the exercise to take place.
It directed that all businesses, markets, shops, commercial activities, social gatherings, parties, ceremonies and other public activities within Uburu remain suspended throughout the duration of the curfew.
The Council urged residents, indigenes, visitors and the general public to comply with the directive, describing it as a mark of respect for the community’s sacred tradition and a step towards spiritual cleansing, peace and renewal.
The announcement comes weeks after the death of Mary Habila at Umahi’s residence in Uburu, an incident that has attracted widespread public attention and remains under police investigation.
Umahi has confirmed that Habila died at the staff quarters within the compound of his country home. He maintained that she was a Nurse seconded from the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, DUFUHS, to the Federal Ministry of Works.
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