Senator Bello Mandiya reportedly slipped after bathing, hit his head and died alone in his Abuja residence, with his decomposing body discovered about 72 hours later after neighbours raised the alarm over a foul smell.
Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, recounted the tragic circumstances of Mandiya’s death during a Senate plenary session, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the uncertainty of life.
Ningi said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son called to inform him of the death of the former Katsina South senator, whose body was discovered on Monday, September 7, 2026.
According to him, Senator Bello Mandiya was last seen by a colleague around 11am on Friday, September 4, before returning to his Abuja residence, where he lived alone.
The former lawmaker was reportedly preparing to attend the Friday congregational prayer when tragedy struck.
“He brought out his cap, his phones, and put them on the bed, and went into the bathroom to take his bath,” Ningi told the Senate.
“After taking his bath, when he was out of the bathroom, then he slipped and knocked his head in the bathroom.”
The incident reportedly went unnoticed for three days, as nobody knew what had happened to Mandiya or why he had stopped appearing in public.
Ningi said the alarm was eventually raised after a foul smell began emanating from the apartment, leaving neighbours worried about the former senator’s prolonged absence.
The chief imam of Apo also reportedly became concerned after noticing that Mandiya, who regularly attended the five daily Muslim prayers, had been absent for three consecutive days.
The combination of the imam’s concerns and the disturbing smell prompted residents to investigate the apartment.
Ningi said those who went to the residence eventually forced the door open, only to discover Mandiya’s lifeless body in the bathroom.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” he said.
“And there lies Bello Mandiya in the bathroom, lifeless. Seventy-two hours, and that’s a simple tragedy.”
The account left Ningi reflecting on the fragility of life, stressing that political power, wealth and social standing could not protect anyone from death.
“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” he said.
He also prayed for Allah to grant Mandiya eternal rest and comfort his family, while extending his condolences to the people of Katsina State and the constituents the late politician represented.
Mandiya was elected to the Senate in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Katsina South Senatorial District in the ninth National Assembly until 2023.
Before his election, he served as chief of staff to former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari. He also chaired the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
His death attracted tributes from political leaders and former colleagues, who remembered him for his contributions to public service at the state and national levels.
Ningi, who said he had known Mandiya since 2002, described the circumstances of his colleague’s death as a sobering reminder that life could end unexpectedly.
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