Senator Abdul Ningi has recounted how his colleague, Senator Bello Mandiya, reportedly died after slipping in his bathroom and hitting his head, with his body discovered about 72 hours later at his Abuja residence.
Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District, shared details during Senate plenary, explaining that neighbours discovered Mandiya’s lifeless body after foul smell began emanating from his apartment.
According to Ningi, he was in Saudi Arabia when he received telephone call from his son informing him of incident. He said his son was among those who discovered former lawmaker’s body on Monday, September 7, 2026.
Ningi told Senate that Mandiya had reportedly been preparing to attend Friday congregational prayer when he slipped and hit his head after taking his bath.
“He brought out his cap, his phones, and put them on bed, and went into bathroom to take his bath. After taking his bath, when he was out of bathroom, then he slipped and knocked his head in bathroom,” Ningi said.
Senator explained that nobody initially realised what had happened until smell from Mandiya’s apartment began spreading to neighbouring properties.
“For 72 hours, Mr President, nobody knew where Bello Mandiya was,” he told Senate.
Ningi added that Chief Imam of Apo also raised concerns after noticing that Mandiya, who regularly attended five daily Muslim prayers with other worshippers, had been absent for three consecutive days.
Imam’s concern, combined with foul smell coming from apartment, prompted residents to investigate.
According to Ningi, those who went to residence eventually forced door open and discovered Mandiya’s body in bathroom.
Expressing sadness over circumstances surrounding his colleague’s death, Ningi said incident was reminder of uncertainty of life and fact that nobody could predict when death would come.
