Ningi Recounts How Ex-Senator Mandiya’s Body Discovered After 3 Days As Foul Smell Alerted Neighbours

Senator Abdul Ningi has recounted how his colleague, former Senator Bello Mandiya, died after slipping in his bathroom and hitting his head, with his body discovered about 72 hours later in his Abuja residence.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, disclosed this during a Senate plenary session, saying the ex-lawmaker died alone after preparing for Friday 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 told the chamber.

The Bauchi lawmaker said Mandiya lived alone and that his body remained undiscovered for three days until neighbours were alerted by a foul smell emanating from his apartment.

“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” he said, noting that the chief imam of Apo also raised concern after Mandiya, who regularly observed the five daily prayers, was absent for three consecutive days.

Ningi said he was in Saudi Arabia when he received a call from his son, who was among those who discovered the body on Monday, September 7, 2026. He added that a colleague had last seen Mandiya at about 11 a.m. on Friday, September 4, before he returned home.

“And there lies Bello Mandiya in the bathroom, lifeless. Seventy-two hours, and that’s a simple tragedy,” Ningi said, describing it as a reminder that nothing is permanent about political office or wealth.

Mandiya, who served as chief of staff to former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari, was elected in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress to represent Katsina South Senatorial District and chaired the Senate Committee on Water Resources in the 9th National Assembly.