A 28-year-old school bus driver, identified as Onome Ughagha, has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old schoolgirl in Sapele, Delta State.
The suspect was accused of abducting the teenager and collecting a ransom of ₦503,000 from her father before allegedly abandoning her along Oton Road, Sapele.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed that the victim’s father reported the incident at the Sapele Area Command on Tuesday, alleging that his daughter was abducted while preparing to go to school.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspect allegedly demanded ₦503,000 from the father and threatened to kill the girl if the ransom was not paid.
Edafe said the teenager was released after the money was collected and subsequently reunited with her family. She was reportedly traumatised, with signs indicating that she might have been sexually assaulted.
Following the report, police operatives commenced an investigation and arranged for the victim to receive medical examination and treatment. The school’s principal and vice-principal were also invited for questioning as efforts to locate the suspect intensified.
The police said the suspect allegedly abandoned the school bus and went into hiding. However, acting on intelligence, detectives tracked him to a hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on Friday.
According to the command, the suspect allegedly admitted involvement in the incident during preliminary interrogation. The police added that arrangements were being made to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Samuel Erale, condemned the alleged crime and assured the public that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
He also urged parents, school administrators and transport operators to strengthen child-protection measures to prevent abuse, exploitation and other forms of violence against children.
The police said further investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
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