Former senator Abdul Ningi has recounted how a foul smell and concerns over his colleague’s absence from daily Muslim prayers led to the discovery of Bello Mandiya’s lifeless body in his Abuja residence, about 72 hours after he reportedly suffered a fatal bathroom fall.
Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, narrated the circumstances surrounding Mandiya’s death during a Senate plenary session, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the uncertainty of life.
According to him, Mandiya was last seen by a colleague at about 11 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, before returning to his Abuja residence, where he lived alone.
Ningi said Mandiya was preparing to attend Friday congregational prayers when he reportedly slipped after bathing and hit his head in the bathroom.
“He brought out his cap, his phones, and put them on the bed, and went into the bathroom to take his bath,” Ningi said.
“After taking his bath, when he was out of the bathroom, then he slipped and knocked his head in the bathroom.”
The former lawmaker’s absence reportedly went unnoticed for days until the chief imam of Apo became concerned that Mandiya, who regularly attended the five daily Muslim prayers, had missed prayers for three consecutive days.
At the same time, a foul smell began emanating from his apartment, raising concerns among neighbours.
Ningi said the combination of the imam’s concern and the unusual smell prompted residents to investigate the apartment. They eventually forced the door open and found Mandiya’s body in the bathroom.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” Ningi told the Senate.
Recounting the moment of discovery, he said: “And there lies Bello Mandiya in the bathroom, lifeless. Seventy-two hours, and that’s a simple tragedy.”
Ningi, who said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son informed him of Mandiya’s death on Monday, September 7, expressed sadness over the circumstances of the incident.
He also extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, the people of Katsina State and the constituents he represented in the Senate, praying for Allah to grant him eternal rest and comfort his loved ones.
Mandiya served as chief of staff to former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari before his election to the Senate in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
He represented Katsina South Senatorial District in the ninth National Assembly until 2023 and chaired the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
Ningi, who said he had known Mandiya since 2002, described the tragedy as a reminder that political office, wealth and social status offer no permanence.
“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” he said.
