Maria Ochefu, the founder of Mammy Market in military barracks across the country, has passed away at the age of 86.

Her son, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, confirmed her death in a phone interview on Thursday, stating that she died in her sleep on Tuesday in Makurdi.

She was married to Colonel Anthony Ochefu, a former military governor of Enugu State.

In a past interview with PUNCH, Maria Ochefu recounted how she started Mammy Market, which later became a household name in all military barracks nationwide.

During the interview, she revealed that two former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and former President Muhammadu Buhari, were among her customers.

“Yes, Mama passed away on Tuesday in Makurdi in her sleep,” her son said. “She had been a patient at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, and she would have been 87 in April this year.”