Nobody Knew Where He Was For 72 Hours — Ningi Recounts Tragic D3ath Of Ex-Senator

Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, has recounted how the body of former senator Bello Mandiya was discovered in his bathroom approximately 72 hours after he was last seen.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Ningi gave the account during a Senate plenary session while expressing sadness over the death of his former colleague, who was reportedly found dead at his residence on Monday, September 7, 2026.

The Bauchi senator said he was in Saudi Arabia when his son contacted him to report the discovery. According to Ningi, his son was among the residents who went to Mandiya’s apartment after concerns grew over his prolonged absence and a foul smell coming from the property.

Ningi explained that Mandiya was last seen at about 11 a.m. on Friday, September 4, before returning to his residence, where he lived alone.

He said the former lawmaker had reportedly been preparing to attend Friday prayers when he slipped after taking his bath and struck his head in the bathroom.

Recounting the information he received about the incident, Ningi told the Senate that Mandiya had placed his cap and mobile phones on his bed before entering the bathroom.

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

He explained that nobody appeared to have noticed Mandiya’s absence for about three days until residents began detecting an unpleasant smell from his apartment.

“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” the senator told his colleagues.

Ningi added that the chief imam of Apo also became concerned after the former senator missed prayers for three consecutive days, despite being a regular attendee at the five daily Muslim prayers.

The imam’s concern, alongside the foul smell emanating from the apartment, prompted residents to investigate. They eventually forced the door open and discovered Mandiya’s lifeless body in the bathroom.

Describing the incident as a painful tragedy, Ningi expressed sorrow over the circumstances surrounding his former colleague’s death and extended his condolences to Mandiya’s family, the people of Katsina State and the constituents he represented during his time in the Senate.

The senator, who said he had known Mandiya since 2002, reflected on the uncertainty of life, noting that political office, wealth and social standing could not shield anyone from its unpredictability.

“There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth,” he said.

Ningi also prayed for Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family the strength to bear the loss.

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 (APC) to represent Katsina South Senatorial District in the Senate. He served in the ninth National Assembly until 2023 and chaired the Senate Committee on Water Resources.

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