Two years after a medical sojourn in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kano conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina Isa, have returned to Nigeria.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who had earlier bid farewell to the identical female twins—born conjoined at the lower abdomen—on October 30, 2023, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, welcomed them back on Friday.
Hassana and Husaina underwent a life-saving operation at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh. The complex and successful 14-hour surgery resulted in their complete separation.
The multi-billion dollar intervention, involving both human and material resources, was fully funded by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
Two years later, the twins returned as healthy, separate individuals and were warmly received by Governor Yusuf at the same airport.
Press attaché at the Royal Embassy in Abuja, Mohammad Alsahabi, told journalists that Hassana and Husaina had travelled to Riyadh in October 2023, where they underwent months of comprehensive medical examinations.
“Doctors discovered that the twins were joined at the lower abdomen, pelvis, and spine, sharing vital structures, which made the case particularly complex.
“After careful planning, a multidisciplinary team of 38 consultants and specialists—including experts in pediatric surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, anesthesia, and plastic surgery—embarked on the delicate procedure.
“The surgery, which unfolded in nine stages, lasted approximately 14 hours. Each stage required precise coordination to safely separate the twins and reconstruct their individual systems,” Alsahabi noted.
The diplomat disclosed that the successful outcome was hailed as one of the most challenging yet rewarding achievements of the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Program.
He said the separation of Hassana and Husaina marked the 65th successful operation under the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Program, which has provided care for 150 sets of conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 35 years.
“The program has become one of the most prominent medical humanitarian initiatives globally, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s expertise in pediatric surgery and its dedication to supporting vulnerable families,” he added.
The Consular General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kano, Khalil Ahmed Al-Admawi, who was present at the airport to welcome the family, described the success of the surgery as a demonstration of the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian service.
He further stated that Saudi Arabia would continue to extend medical assistance and goodwill to countries in need through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre—especially to Nigeria, with which it shares historic ties.
Speaking upon arrival, the father of the twins, Hassan Isa, applauded the humanitarian gesture of King Salman during the clinical services and welfare extended to the family during their two-year stay in the Kingdom.
Isa, who expressed deep gratitude, revealed that their time in Saudi Arabia also afforded him and his wife the rare opportunity to perform the annual pilgrimage.
Governor Yusuf, visibly overwhelmed with joy, commended the humanitarian intervention of King Salman and the Crown Prince. The Governor pledged to shoulder full responsibility for the education and medical care of the twins.