Hadiyah and Aidah Usman Abdullahi, both 28, pursued careers in healthcare while living with sickle cell disease. Their deaths within two days have left their family and colleagues mourning. Health News | Yobe State, Nigeria | October 16, 2026
Twin sisters Hadiyah Usman Abdullahi, a medical doctor, and Aidah Usman Abdullahi, a pharmacist, died just two days apart after battling sickle cell disease in northeastern Nigeria. The sisters, both 28, passed away on Friday, October 2, and Sunday, October 4, 2026, respectively. Hadiyah was undergoing her medical internship at the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, in Yobe State, while Aidah worked at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in neighbouring Borno State. Their deaths were confirmed by family members and reported on October 5, leaving relatives and colleagues mourning two young healthcare professionals. They were daughters of Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru.
Hadiyah had been admitted to the Federal Medical Centre after suffering a sickle cell crisis. According to family accounts, she spent about a week receiving treatment before her death on October 2. At the time, she was completing the practical stage of her medical training, gaining clinical experience as she began her career. Her death came while her twin sister was also receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. For the family, the situation was particularly difficult, with both sisters facing serious health challenges at the same time. Following her death, Hadiyah was buried in Nguru in accordance with Islamic rites.
Aidah had reportedly shown signs of improvement during her treatment in Maiduguri and was subsequently discharged from hospital. However, the family’s grief deepened when she died on Sunday, October 4, barely 48 hours after her sister. Some accounts published after the incident suggested that Aidah had visited Hadiyah’s grave before collapsing, although the precise circumstances surrounding her death have not been independently established through a publicly available medical report. Both sisters had lived with sickle cell disease and had required hospital treatment shortly before their deaths. What began as a period of concern over their health ended with the family losing both daughters within two days.
A family member, Ibrahim Auwal, confirmed the deaths to PUNCH on October 5, describing the loss as deeply painful for relatives, friends and colleagues. He spoke of the sisters as hardworking young women who were committed to their professions and had promising futures ahead. Their deaths came as a shock to loved ones, particularly because the family had barely begun mourning Hadiyah when Aidah also passed away. The sisters had spent years pursuing their education and preparing for careers in healthcare, making their loss especially difficult for those who had followed their progress and supported their ambitions.
Those who knew the sisters described a close relationship that extended well beyond their shared birthday. According to family accounts published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Hadiyah and Aidah grew up supporting each other through school, personal experiences and the challenges associated with sickle cell disease. Both attended the University of Maiduguri, although they eventually pursued different healthcare professions. Hadiyah studied medicine, while Aidah chose pharmacy. Their uncle, Ibrahim Hasbunallah, described them as inseparable from childhood. Despite living with a condition that could require repeated medical attention, both completed demanding academic programmes and began building professional careers.
Their achievements were also significant within a family closely connected to the medical profession. Their mother, Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, is a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology who serves as the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Nguru. Although the sisters entered different branches of healthcare, both were preparing to contribute to patient care through their respective professions. Hadiyah was still undergoing her medical internship, while Aidah had begun working as a pharmacist at a major teaching hospital. Their academic and professional progress reflected years of dedication, particularly given the additional health challenges they faced while growing up.
The tragedy also drew condolences from the Yobe State Government. Governor Mai Mala Buni expressed sadness over the deaths and extended his sympathies to their mother and other members of the family. He reportedly directed a delegation of senior government officials to visit the bereaved family in Nguru and convey his condolences. The delegation included the Commissioner for Health, Muhammad Lawan Gana, and the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Abba Idriss Adam, alongside other officials. The governor also offered prayers for the deceased sisters and asked that their family be granted the strength to bear the loss.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the condition causes some red blood cells to become rigid and unusually shaped, making it difficult for them to move through small blood vessels. This can restrict blood flow and trigger severe pain, commonly known as a sickle cell crisis. The disease can also lead to anaemia, infections and complications involving vital organs. Its severity varies from person to person, with some patients experiencing frequent medical emergencies while others live for extended periods with fewer complications.
Managing sickle cell disease often requires regular medical monitoring, prompt treatment of complications and access to appropriate healthcare. Patients may need medication, blood transfusions or hospital admission during severe crises, while specialised treatments are available for some individuals. Medical professionals also emphasise the importance of recognising warning signs such as severe pain, fever and difficulty breathing. The deaths of Hadiyah and Aidah have brought attention to the challenges faced by people living with the condition, including those pursuing demanding careers. However, the exact medical complications responsible for the sisters’ deaths have not been publicly established, and there is insufficient information to determine whether any particular treatment could have changed the outcome.
For Hadiyah and Aidah Usman Abdullahi, their lives were defined by more than the illness they had lived with. They were sisters who grew up together, supported each other through difficult periods and worked towards careers in medicine and pharmacy. Their deaths within two days have left a grieving family and a loss felt among those who knew them. Their story also serves as a reminder of the importance of continued medical support and awareness for people living with sickle cell disease. Yet, beyond the medical discussions and public condolences, there remains a family’s deeply personal grief over two daughters whose lives, ambitions and shared journey came to an end far too soon
