Douala school student death sparks investigation and protests

The death of 12-year-old student Essoe Moukoko Ozanne at Collège De La Salle in Douala has sparked significant unrest and calls for a criminal investigation. The student, a Form 2A pupil, was reportedly found in a severely altered state of health on September 18, 2026, and passed away shortly after being admitted to Laquintinie Hospital.

On September 21, parents gathered at the school to demand answers, leading to an emergency meeting involving school officials and the Littoral Regional Delegate for Secondary Education. Tensions are high due to conflicting reports regarding the cause of death. The student's aunt has alleged that medical staff informed the family the child may have been drugged and sexually assaulted. However, the President of the Parents-Teachers Association disputed these claims, suggesting that reports of sexual assault may have been confused with an unrelated incident involving a student from a different school.

The National Autonomous Union of Secondary Education (SNAES) has officially called for a rigorous judicial inquiry to determine the exact circumstances of the death and establish responsibility. The incident has raised urgent questions regarding safety, supervision, and health prevention within Cameroonian schools.