Senator Abdul Ningi has recounted the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bello Mandiya, who was reportedly found dead in the bathroom of his Abuja residence about 72 hours after he was last seen.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, said Mandiya’s body was discovered after a foul smell from his apartment raised concerns among neighbours.

Speaking during Senate plenary, Ningi said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son called to inform him of Mandiya’s death.

He disclosed that his son was among those who discovered the former lawmaker’s body on Monday, September 7, 2026.

According to Ningi, Mandiya was last seen by a colleague at about 11am on Friday, September 4, before returning to his residence, where he lived alone.

He said 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 told the Senate.

“After taking his bath, when he was out of the bathroom, then he slipped and knocked his head in the bathroom.”

Ningi said nobody initially knew what had happened to Mandiya until the smell from his apartment began spreading to neighbouring properties.

“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” he said.

He added that the chief imam of Apo also became concerned after noticing that Mandiya, who regularly attended the five daily Muslim prayers, had been absent for three consecutive days.

The imam’s concern, coupled with the foul smell, prompted residents to investigate the apartment.

Ningi said those who went to the residence eventually forced the door open and found Mandiya’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.

Expressing grief over the incident, Ningi described his colleague’s death as a painful reminder of the uncertainty of life. He also extended his condolences to Mandiya’s family, the people of Katsina State and his former constituents.

Ningi, who said he had known Mandiya since 2002, noted that political office, wealth and social status could not protect anyone from life’s uncertainties.

“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.

Mandiya previously 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 (APC).

He represented Katsina South Senatorial District in the ninth National Assembly from 2019 to 2023 and chaired the Senate Committee on Water Resources.

His death attracted tributes from political leaders and former colleagues, who acknowledged his contributions to public service in Katsina State and at the national level.