A school bus driver in Delta State has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student after collecting N503,000 ransom from her father.
The 28-year-old suspect, identified as Onome Ughagha, was arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command at his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele on Friday.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the victim’s father reported the incident at the Sapele Area Command on Tuesday.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly abducted the girl while she was preparing to leave for school before contacting her father and demanding N503,000.
He reportedly threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid.
The police said that after collecting the money, the suspect allegedly abandoned the girl along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications that she had been sexually assaulted.
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Following the report, operatives launched an investigation, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The police also invited the school’s principal and vice-principal for questioning as efforts intensified to apprehend the suspect, who had reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled.
Edafe said the suspect was eventually tracked to his hideout following credible intelligence and arrested.
During preliminary interrogation, Ughagha reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime.
The police spokesperson said arrangements were underway to transfer the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation.
He assured that the investigation would be thorough and that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.
Eralе also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to strengthen measures to protect children, stressing that the safety of pupils entrusted to their care must remain a priority.
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