Senator [Abdul Ningi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_Ningi) informed the [Senate](https://www.nass.gov.ng) on 13 October 2026 that his former colleague, former Senator Bello Mandiya, died after slipping and striking his head in the bathroom of his Abuja flat, with the body only being found roughly 72 hours later by his neighbours after a foul smell was reported.
Key details include: Mandiya was last seen on Friday, 4 September 2026 at about 11 a.m. after returning home to prepare for congregational prayer; his son and other residents discovered the body on 7 September 2026 after a strong odor prompted them to force open the door; Ningi was in Saudi Arabia when he learned of the death via a phone call from his son; the chief imam of Apo raised concerns when Mandiya missed three consecutive prayers; and Ningi remarked, “There is nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth.”
**When was Bello Mandiya last seen?**
According to Ningi, a colleague saw Mandiya at approximately 11 a.m. on 4 September 2026 as he returned home, removed his cap and phones, placed them on the bed and entered the bathroom to bathe.
**How was the body discovered?**
Mandiya lived alone, and his absence went unnoticed until the chief imam of Apo grew worried about missed prayers. A foul smell later emanated from the flat, prompting neighbours to break the door open on 7 September 2026, where they found him lifeless on the bathroom floor.
**What did Senator Ningi say about the tragedy?**
Ningi reflected that the incident highlighted life’s uncertainty, stating, “There is nothing permanent about anything. Nothing permanent about our position, nothing permanent about our wealth.” He offered prayers for the deceased, expressed condolences to Mandiya’s family, the people of Katsina State and his former constituents, and recalled knowing Mandiya since 2002.