The 22-month-old girls, born fused at the lower abdomen on October 30, 2023, underwent the complex 12-hour procedure at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital, marking a triumphant end to a two-year medical odyssey that blended cutting-edge pediatric expertise with profound humanitarian support.

The twins touched down at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport late Thursday evening, but their official hero’s welcome unfolded on Friday morning amid jubilant scenes. 

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf personally led the reception, enveloping the family in a bear hug as traditional Hausa drummers and well-wishers erupted in applause. 

“This is not just a medical success, but a humanitarian triumph,” Yusuf declared, his voice thick with emotion. 

He pledged the state’s full commitment to the twins’ future, covering their education through university, healthcare, and overall welfare to ensure they thrive as independent young women.

Accompanying the governor was Khalil Ahmed Al-Admawi, the Consul General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kano, who represented Riyadh’s enduring partnership with Nigeria. 

Al-Admawi hailed the operation as a shining example of Saudi Arabia’s dedication to global medical aid, underscoring the historic ties between the two nations. 

“Saudi Arabia will continue extending medical assistance and goodwill through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, particularly to Nigeria,” he affirmed. 

This separation marks the 65th success under the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Programme, a 35-year initiative that has treated 150 sets of conjoined twins from 25 countries, solidifying its status as a beacon of pediatric innovation and compassion.

The girls’ father, Hassan Isa, visibly overwhelmed, recounted the family’s profound gratitude during their extended stay in the Kingdom. 

“The support we received was beyond words—not just the surgery, but the care, the compassion, and even the privilege of performing the Hajj pilgrimage together,” Isa shared, crediting Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their directives that made it all possible. 

The journey began in late 2023 when the conjoined twins were airlifted to Saudi Arabia under the program’s auspices, a move coordinated by Kano State authorities and the Saudi consulate after local assessments deemed the procedure too high-risk for Nigerian facilities.