Yobe state is in mourning following the tragic death of twin sisters, Dr. Hadiya Usman and Dr. Aidah Usman, who passed away just two days apart. The sisters, both healthcare professionals, died on October 2 and October 4, 2026, respectively. Dr. Hadiya was a medical doctor, while her twin sister, Dr. Aidah, was a Doctor of Pharmacy. Their deaths have sparked an outpouring of condolences from their family, colleagues, and the wider medical community.
According to reports, Dr. Hadiya had been receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Nguru for about a week after suffering a sickle cell crisis. She eventually died on Friday, October 2, leaving her family and loved ones to prepare for her burial. Her remains were laid to rest after funeral prayers at the Emir's Palace in Nguru on the same day. The death was particularly painful for the family because Dr. Aidah was also battling health complications around the same period.
Dr. Aidah, who was reportedly pregnant and living with sickle cell disease, died on Sunday, October 4, just two days after her twin sister's death. After attending Dr. Hadiya's burial, Dr. Aidah visited her sister's grave with their mother to pray for her. She suddenly collapsed after the visit and was taken to hospital, where she was confirmed dead. The circumstances surrounding her death have deepened the grief surrounding the tragedy.
The loss has resonated within the healthcare community because both sisters followed careers in the medical profession. Dr. Hadiya trained and worked as a medical doctor, while Dr. Aidah became a pharmacist. Their mother, Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, is a prominent figure in the health sector and currently heads FMC Nguru. She is a Professor of Gynaecological Oncology and Reproductive Health and was promoted to the rank of professor in 2018.
The Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, has acknowledged Dr. Aidah's death, describing her as the second twin of Professor Usman. Messages of condolence have continued to reach the family, with colleagues, friends, and well-wishers expressing shock over the double tragedy. The circumstances have been particularly difficult for those who knew the sisters, as the loss of one twin was followed almost immediately by the death of the other.
The reported connection between the deaths and sickle cell disease has also drawn attention to the burden of the condition, which is inherited and can cause serious health complications. People living with sickle cell disease can experience episodes known as vaso-occlusive crises, which may cause severe pain and other complications requiring medical attention.
The tragedy has prompted wider reflection on the unpredictability of life and the unusual circumstances through which the sisters died. For their mother and other members of the family, the sequence of events has created an especially painful period of bereavement. Friends and relatives have continued to pray for the family, asking Allah to grant them patience and strength to withstand the loss.
Key points
- The twin sisters, Dr. Hadiya Usman and Dr. Aidah Usman, died two days apart due to complications from sickle cell disease.
- The sisters were both healthcare professionals, with Dr. Hadiya working as a medical doctor and Dr. Aidah working as a pharmacist.
- Their mother, Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, is a prominent figure in the health sector and currently heads FMC Nguru.
