By Our Reporter
Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, has recounted how his late colleague, Senator Bello Mandiya, reportedly slipped and hit his head in his bathroom, where he was later found dead after lying undiscovered for about 72 hours.
Ningi narrated the circumstances surrounding Mandiya’s death during Senate plenary on Tuesday, October 13. A video of his account went viral on Thursday.
According to Ningi, Mandiya lived alone in his Abuja residence, and his absence went unnoticed for three days until the chief imam of Apo became concerned that the former lawmaker had missed congregational prayers for three consecutive days.
Ningi said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son called to inform him of Mandiya’s death. His son was among those who discovered the former senator’s body on September 7, 2026.
Recounting the events leading to the tragedy, Ningi said Mandiya was last seen by a colleague at about 11 am on Friday, September 4, after which he returned home to prepare for congregational prayers.
“He brought out his cap, his phones, and put them on the bed, and went into the bathroom to take his bath.
“After taking his bath, when he was out of the bathroom, then he slipped and knocked his head in the bathroom,” Ningi said.
The senator explained that the incident came to light after a foul smell began emanating from Mandiya’s apartment, raising concerns among residents.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” he said.
Ningi added that those who eventually went to the residence had to force the door open before discovering the former lawmaker’s lifeless body in the bathroom.
“And there lies Bello Mandiya in the bathroom, lifeless. Seventy-two hours, and that’s a simple tragedy,” he said.
Reflecting on the incident, Ningi said Mandiya’s death underscored the uncertainty of life, noting that political status and material wealth could not shield anyone from unforeseen circumstances.
“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” he said.
Ningi, who disclosed that he had known Mandiya since 2002, prayed for the repose of his late colleague’s soul and extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, the people of Katsina State and his former constituents.
Mandiya died on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the age of 62.
He represented Katsina South Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 2019 to 2023. Before his election to the Senate, he served as chief of staff to former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda had described Mandiya’s death as a great loss to the state and the country.