A series of unexplained episodes among young girls in secondary schools in Sassandra, Côte d'Ivoire, has raised concerns among educators and health professionals. The incidents, which include respiratory crises and trance-like behavior, have been reported in both public and private schools in the area. According to reports, these episodes often occur during class hours and sometimes require emergency services to evacuate the students to medical facilities.
An former student of a private school in Sassandra, now studying in Abidjan, recalled an incident where she exhibited unusual behavior during a lesson. She attributed the episode to a spiritual presence, which she linked to certain prohibitions imposed upon her. Her former philosophy teacher also remembered the incident, which occurred at the beginning of a lesson on "God and religion." The student had suddenly changed behavior, becoming aggressive towards classmates and administrators.
Educators at the Lycée Moderne Goffry Kouassi Raymond in Sassandra have also reported similar incidents. Some students involved have cited spiritual phenomena, which they attribute to "genies" or supernatural beings. These beliefs have led to scenes that have drawn the attention of many students. Former educators have reported cases of students who have interrupted their studies due to troubles linked to spiritual beliefs.
In addition to these episodes, respiratory crises have been regularly reported in schools. For the 2026-2027 school year, several interventions by emergency services have been necessary to transport students to medical facilities. The lack of infirmaries in some schools has meant that the Centre de Secours d'Urgence de Sassandra has been called upon to provide care for students who are feeling unwell.
The causes of these incidents are varied, and experts stress the need for proper care to distinguish between health problems and interpretations linked to cultural or religious beliefs. Authorities have not yet identified the cause of these mysterious ailments, but they are working to provide support to affected students and to prevent future incidents.
The phenomenon has been observed for several years, with multiple actors in the education system reporting concerns. While some students have reported experiencing spiritual phenomena, others have simply exhibited unexplained physical symptoms. The situation has highlighted the need for greater awareness and understanding of the complex issues surrounding student well-being in Côte d'Ivoire.
As the situation continues to unfold, educators and health professionals are working together to provide support to affected students and to identify the underlying causes of these incidents. The Agence Ivoirienne de Presse (AIP) will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key points
- The mysterious ailments have been reported in both public and private secondary schools in Sassandra, Côte d'Ivoire.
- The incidents have included respiratory crises and trance-like behavior, with some students attributing the episodes to spiritual phenomena.
- Authorities are working to provide support to affected students and to identify the underlying causes of the incidents.
