Dr Hadiya Usman, a medical doctor undergoing internship at the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, and Dr Aidah Usman, a pharmacist at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, have died two days apart in Yobe State after battling complications associated with sickle cell disease.

The deaths of the twin sisters on Friday, October 2, and Sunday, October 4, have left their mother, Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, Medical Director of FMC Nguru, facing the loss of both daughters within a single weekend.

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A family member, Ibrahim Auwal, confirmed the deaths, describing the development as a painful loss for relatives, friends and colleagues.

“It is a very painful development. Hadiyah passed away on Friday, and Aidah followed on Sunday. Both sisters had been battling sickle cell disease, and their deaths are a great loss, particularly to their family, friends and colleagues,” Auwal said.

Hadiya had reportedly spent about a week at FMC Nguru receiving treatment after suffering a sickle cell crisis before she died on Friday.

Aidah was receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital around the same period. Reports said she initially recovered and was discharged before dying on Sunday.

The closely timed deaths have made the loss particularly poignant for the Usman family.

Hadiya was a medical doctor building her career in hospital practice, while Aidah pursued pharmacy, giving both sisters professional ties to the healthcare system they had entered.

Reports from several Nigerian outlets said Hadiya was buried on Friday following funeral prayers at the Emir’s Palace in Nguru. Aidah was subsequently buried according to Islamic rites after her death.

Some reports have said Aidah visited her twin sister’s grave after Hadiya’s burial and later collapsed.

However, the available accounts do not independently establish that the visit caused or medically explained Aidah’s death, and that detail should therefore be treated cautiously.

The Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, has also acknowledged Aidah’s death, with reports quoting the institution as referring to her as the “second twin” of Professor Usman.

The sisters’ deaths have resonated beyond their immediate family because both had chosen healthcare professions.

Their passing represents the loss of two young professionals at a time when they were still developing their careers.

Their mother, Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, is herself a senior medical professional and the Medical Director of FMC Nguru.

Reports say she is a professor of gynaecological oncology and reproductive health and became Medical Director of the federal medical centre in November 2022.

The family has since received condolences from colleagues, professional associations, religious leaders, traditional rulers, government officials and other well-wishers.

In an appreciation message following the support received by the family, Professor Usman said she was “deeply touched by the overwhelming show of love, solidarity, prayers and support” from those who reached out after the losses.

Auwal said the sisters had been dedicated to their professions and had promising futures ahead of them.

“We are deeply saddened by what has happened. Losing the two sisters within just a few days has been extremely painful for the family. They were both dedicated to their professions and had promising futures ahead of them,” he said.

The tragedy has also drawn attention to the burden of sickle cell disease, a hereditary blood disorder that can cause recurrent episodes of severe pain and other serious complications.

In this case, reports have linked the sisters’ illnesses to the deaths, although detailed medical accounts of their final conditions have not been publicly released.

For the Usman family, the circumstances have created an exceptionally difficult period of mourning.

The loss of one daughter was followed almost immediately by the death of her twin, leaving relatives and colleagues to grieve two healthcare professionals within 48 hours.

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The sisters have since been remembered through prayers and condolence messages, as colleagues, friends and members of the wider community continue to express sympathy to their family.