Death of Form 2 student: Parents demand from La Salle College

The atmosphere at Collège de La Salle in Douala was tense on Monday morning, September 21, as parents of students gathered at the school demanding answers over the death of 11-year-old Moukoko Essoe Ozanne, a Form 2A student.

The gathering began at about 7:30 a.m. Security forces later dispersed the parents before the school administration agreed to an emergency meeting. The first meeting brought together parents, school officials and the Littoral Regional Delegate for Secondary Education.

Discussions focused on the circumstances surrounding Ozanne’s death on Friday, September 18. According to information circulating, the child was found unconscious in a school toilet after classes and was rushed to Laquintinie Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Ozanne’s aunt, Mrs Siki, says the family was informed at the hospital that the child may have been drugged and sexually assaulted.

“The doctor told us that the child had allegedly been drugged and sexually assaulted, and that there were deposits of semen. The samples that were taken are currently in the laboratory,” said Mrs Siki.

However, the President of the Parents-Teachers Association, in an explanation to journalists, appeared to dispute reports that a sexual assault had occurred inside the school. He pointed to the location of the toilet, saying it is within the school premises and in public view.

The PTA President also said that, while Ozanne was being rushed to Laquintinie Hospital, another child from a different school was reportedly at the hospital after allegedly being sexually assaulted. According to him, information about the two cases was subsequently mixed up on social media, leading to reports that the sexual assault victim was a La Salle student.

These explanations have not been independently established, and the circumstances surrounding Ozanne’s death remain subject to investigation.

The parents’ meeting ended without an immediate official statement. A second meeting involving the school administration and administrative authorities was subsequently held, with a representative of the Divisional Officer for Douala I also present.

Neither the Regional Delegate nor the school administration briefed journalists afterwards. Both indicated that official statements would be issued later in the day.

Ozanne’s aunt says the family has since filed a complaint and is calling for a transparent investigation into the circumstances of the child’s death and any possible responsibility.

Meanwhile, Collège de La Salle has remained open, with classes continuing normally on Monday. The decision to resume classes has sparked public debate as the family, parents and the wider public await official clarification.