YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — The streets of Yaoundé, usually buzzing with the chaotic hum of motorbikes and vendors, fell silent for a moment this Easter weekend when a tragic collision claimed the life of a young woman. Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, a hometown hero turned global MMA star, was reportedly involved in the accident that killed 17-year-old Ntsama Brigitte Manuella, according to multiple Cameroonian news outlets. The incident, which unfolded in the Omnisports neighborhood on April 20, has sparked grief and questions about road safety in the capital.
Details of the crash remain murky, with conflicting accounts muddying the narrative. Some reports claim Ngannou was riding a motorcycle that struck Manuella as she crossed the road after an outing with friends. Others suggest a vehicle linked to the fighter collided with a motorcycle carrying the teenager. What’s clear is the aftermath: a violent impact left Manuella with severe fractures to her arm and leg. Ngannou, 38, didn’t flee the scene. Instead, he rushed the injured girl to Yaoundé General Hospital, a facility known for its advanced care, and covered all her medical expenses. Despite emergency surgery, Manuella succumbed to her injuries, leaving her family shattered and a community in mourning.
Local authorities have launched an investigation to untangle the circumstances of the crash. No formal charges have been filed against Ngannou as of April 29, and the fighter has stayed silent, issuing no public statement. The tragedy has reignited debates about Cameroon’s chaotic roads, where traffic rules are often more suggestion than law. In Yaoundé, pedestrians weave through streams of motorbikes, and accidents are grimly common. The case echoes a 2021 incident involving Cameroonian rapper Tenor, who faced arrest after a fatal crash but was later released, fueling public frustration over accountability for high-profile figures.
Ngannou, who rose from working in a sand mine in Batié to dominating the UFC octagon, is no stranger to hardship. His foundation runs Cameroon’s first MMA gym, providing training and educational resources to kids in underserved areas. Last year, he suffered the loss of his 15-month-old son, Kobe, a blow that rocked the fighter and his fans. Now, this accident casts a shadow over his return to the Professional Fighters League, where he scored a first-round knockout against Renan Ferreira in October 2024.
Manuella’s family has asked for privacy, urging the removal of sensitive images circulating online. Meanwhile, calls for a transparent probe grow louder, with some demanding justice regardless of Ngannou’s fame. The investigation continues, and further details are expected as authorities sift through witness accounts and evidence from the scene.