Former Katsina Senator Bello Mandiya D!es

Former Senator representing Katsina South Senatorial District, Bello Mandiya, has died at the age of 62.

According to Ireporter Online, Mandiya died in Abuja on Monday, with the Katsina State Government confirming his death.

The Chief Press Secretary to Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, Ibrahim Mohammed, announced the development on Monday night and disclosed that the former lawmaker would be buried in Abuja on Tuesday.

The cause of death had not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report.

Governor Radda described Mandiya’s death as a significant loss to Katsina State and Nigeria, while commending his contributions to public service.

“I received with shock and deep sadness the news of the death of Senator Bello Mandiya. His passing is a great loss to Katsina State and Nigeria,” the governor said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

Radda noted that Mandiya devoted several years to serving the people at both the state and federal levels, adding that his contributions would be remembered.

The governor expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, residents of Katsina South, Mandiya’s political associates and his former colleagues in the National Assembly.

He also prayed for the repose of Mandiya’s soul and asked God to grant his family the strength to bear the loss.

Before his election to the Senate, Mandiya served as Chief of Staff to Masari during his tenure as governor of Katsina State.

He later contested the Katsina South senatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in 2019 and won.

Mandiya subsequently served in the Ninth National Assembly from 2019 to 2023, representing Katsina South Senatorial District.