ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Senator Bello Mandiya reportedly died after slipping and hitting his head in his bathroom, with his lifeless body discovered about 72 hours later at his Abuja residence.
Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, recounted the circumstances surrounding Mandiya’s death during a Senate plenary session, saying the former lawmaker was found after a foul smell from his apartment raised concerns among neighbours.
Ningi said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son telephoned him to inform him of Mandiya’s death. His son was among those who discovered the former senator’s body on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Recounting the events leading to the discovery, Ningi said a colleague had last seen Mandiya at about 11am on Friday, September 4, before he returned to his residence, where he lived alone.
According to Ningi, Mandiya was preparing to attend the Friday congregational prayer when he reportedly slipped and hit his head after taking his bath.
“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 until a foul smell began emanating from his apartment and spreading to neighbouring properties.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” Ningi told the Senate.
He said the chief imam of Apo also became concerned after noticing that Mandiya, who regularly joined other Muslims for the five daily prayers, had been absent for three consecutive days.
The imam’s concerns, combined with the foul smell, prompted residents to investigate the apartment.
According to Ningi, those who went to the residence eventually broke open the door and discovered Mandiya’s body in the bathroom.
“And there lies Bello Mandiya in the bathroom, lifeless. Seventy-two hours, and that’s a simple tragedy,” he said.
Expressing sadness over the circumstances of his colleague’s death, Ningi said the incident was a sobering reminder of the uncertainty of life and the inability of anyone to predict when death would come.
He also expressed condolences to Mandiya’s family, the people of Katsina State and the constituents he represented in the Senate.
Before his election to the Senate, Mandiya served as chief of staff to former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
He was elected in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress to represent Katsina South Senatorial District in the ninth National Assembly, where he served until 2023. He also chaired the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
Mandiya’s death prompted tributes from political leaders and former colleagues, who remembered him for his contributions to public service in Katsina State and at the national level.
Ningi, who said he had known Mandiya since 2002, described the loss as a reminder that political office, wealth and social status could not protect anyone from the uncertainties of life.
“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” he said.
He prayed for Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
