Dawn-to-dusk curfew, spiritual cleansing: Umahi’s community moves to purge after Mary Habila death scandal

The Uburu Traditional Rulers Council in Ebonyi State has declared a dawn-to-dusk curfew and community-wide spiritual cleansing exercise for July 23, 2026 — a development drawing intense public scrutiny given its timing weeks after the controversial death of Mary Habila at the residence of Minister of Works Senator David Umahi.

A community is preparing for spiritual cleansing. And the timing is raising serious questions.

The Uburu Traditional Rulers Council in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has announced a community-wide “Isu Arua” spiritual exercise for Thursday, July 23, 2026, accompanied by a curfew running from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The announcement, signed by Chief Nicholas Odi on behalf of the council headed by HRH Eze Lazarus N. Umahi — eldest brother of Minister of Works Senator David Umahi — directs that all businesses, markets, commercial activities and social gatherings be suspended for the duration.

The council’s statement called on “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.”

As exclusively reported by SaharaReporters, the exercise comes weeks after the controversial death of Mary Habila, a young woman who died at Senator Umahi’s residence in Uburu on June 27. Sources told SaharaReporters that such a public announcement of spiritual cleansing had not been made in the community for a considerable period — making its timing notable amid the ongoing public furore surrounding Habila’s death.

The scandal has accumulated layer upon layer of controversy. Habila was allegedly found naked when her body was removed from the minister’s quarters. Umahi confirmed her death at his residence and described her as a physiotherapist seconded to his ministry — a claim SaharaReporters disputed, reporting that she was a Community Health Extension Worker. Multiple sources also alleged that the minister sought to transfer the investigation from Ebonyi State Police Command to Abuja.

Adding another dimension, management of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences convened an internal meeting on July 15, 2026, directing staff against releasing unauthorised information about Habila’s death — with the Vice-Chancellor emphasising the need to protect the institution’s image.

A police investigation into Habila’s death remains ongoing.