Police operatives in Delta State have arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student before extorting ransom money from her family.
The suspect, identified by law enforcement as Onome Ughagha (also known as Onome Lucky), was apprehended by detectives in the Ajimele area of Sapele following intelligence-led tracking operations.
The investigation was initiated after the victim’s father reported the incident to the Sapele Area Command. According to police reports, the suspect intercepted the teenager while she was preparing to travel to school. Instead of conveying her to the educational facility, the driver redirected the vehicle and forcibly relocated her to a secluded spot.
The suspect subsequently contacted the victim’s family to demand financial ransom while issuing death threats against the minor. Upon securing payment from the family, the driver abandoned the victim along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was later recovered by relatives and taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
Confirming the arrest, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated that the suspect offered a preliminary confession during questioning, acknowledging his involvement in the abduction and assault.
The police spokesperson added that school administrative staff, including the principal and vice principal, were invited for official questioning to evaluate institutional recruitment oversight.
Arrangements are currently finalized to transfer the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba for comprehensive investigation prior to formal prosecution. Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, instructed academic institutions and transport operators across the state to conduct rigorous background checks when hiring personnel responsible for student transportation.
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