A 28-year-old school bus driver has been arrested in Delta State for allegedly kidnapping a 14-year-old female student, sexually assaulting her and collecting ?503,000 in ransom from her father.
The suspect, identified as Onome Lucky Ughagha, allegedly abducted the teenager in Sapele while she was preparing to leave for school.
The Delta State Police Command disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday, October 25, by its spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe.
According to Edafe, the girl’s father reported the incident to the Sapele Area Command on October 20 after discovering that his daughter had been abducted.
The suspect subsequently contacted the father and demanded ?503,000, threatening to kill the teenager if the money was not paid.
The distressed father reportedly paid the ransom to secure his daughter’s release.
However, after receiving the money, the suspect allegedly abandoned the girl along Oton Road in Sapele.
The teenager was later reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications that she had also been sexually assaulted.
Following the report, police operatives launched an investigation while the girl was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
As part of the investigation, the school’s principal and vice-principal were invited for questioning.
Meanwhile, the suspect allegedly abandoned the school bus and fled, prompting security operatives to intensify efforts to locate him.
Edafe said investigators subsequently received credible intelligence that led them to a hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele.
Onome Lucky Ughagha was arrested at the location on Friday, October 23, three days after the incident was reported.
According to the police spokesperson, Ughagha admitted his involvement in the crime during preliminary interrogation.
He added that arrangements were underway to transfer the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
Reacting to the incident, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the alleged crime and assured the public that the investigation would be thorough.
He maintained that the command would ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.
Erale also urged school proprietors, parents and transport operators to exercise greater vigilance when entrusting children to drivers and other caregivers.
The police commissioner stressed that protecting children from violence, exploitation and other forms of abuse remained a priority for the command.
The suspect remains under investigation, and the allegations against him have not been determined by a court.