By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Ughagha, for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student in Sapele.
The suspect was arrested after allegedly collecting ₦503,000 in ransom from the victim’s father, according to the police.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, saying the victim’s father reported the incident to the Sapele Area Command on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the suspect abducted the girl as she prepared to leave for school before contacting her father and demanding ₦503,000. He allegedly threatened to kill the teenager if her father failed to pay.
After collecting the ransom, the suspect allegedly abandoned the girl along Oton Road in Sapele, where she reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications of sexual assault.
Police said they immediately launched an investigation and took the victim to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The investigators also invited the school’s principal and vice-principal for questioning as they intensified efforts to locate the suspect, who had allegedly abandoned the school bus and fled.
Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives tracked Ughagha to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where they arrested him on Friday.
The police said the suspect confessed to his alleged involvement during preliminary interrogation.
The command added that it was making arrangements to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation.
Eral e assured the public that investigators would conduct a thorough investigation and bring anyone found culpable to justice.
He also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to strengthen measures to protect children in their care.
