By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
The medical community in Yobe State has been plunged into mourning following the reported deaths of twin sisters, Dr. Hadiya Usman Abdullahi and Pharm. Aidah Usman Abdullahi, who reportedly died just 48 hours apart.
The heartbreaking news was shared on social media by Fatima Kagu, a doctor, preventive health advocate and student mentor, who expressed condolences to the sisters’ mother, Dr. (Prof.) Hadiza Usman, Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, and the entire family.
According to a separate Facebook post by Ayoade Ojeniyi, Hadiya, who worked with the Haematology Department of FMC Nguru, was a sickle-cell warrior and reportedly died on October 2, 2026, following a severe sickle-cell crisis after about a week in hospital.
Her twin sister, Aidah, a pharmacist, had reportedly recently recovered from an illness and was discharged from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Ojeniyi said Aidah later collapsed after visiting her sister’s grave and subsequently died in hospital on October 4.
The circumstances surrounding the two deaths have left relatives, colleagues and members of the wider medical community grappling with profound grief.
Beyond the tragedy of losing two young professionals, their deaths have also renewed calls for greater awareness of sickle cell disease and the importance of genotype testing before marriage.
The sisters’ reported passing has brought into sharp focus the difficult realities faced by people living with sickle cell disease and the importance of informed reproductive health decisions.
For their grieving mother and family, however, the public health conversation comes against the backdrop of an immeasurable personal loss: two daughters, two accomplished professionals and twins whose lives were intertwined until tragedy separated them.
Kagu prayed for Allah to forgive the sisters’ shortcomings, have mercy on their souls, accept their sacrifices and good deeds, and grant them Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
She also prayed for strength, patience and sabr for their mother and the entire family during the painful period.
Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.
