Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver Over Alleged Kidnapping and Sexual Assault of 14-Year-Old Student

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, identified as Onome Lucky Ughagha, over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student in Sapele. According to the police, the suspect allegedly abducted the teenager while she was preparing to leave for school. The incident was reported to the Sapele Area Command on October 20, 2026, by the victim’s father, who raised the alarm after discovering that his daughter had been taken. The case has renewed concerns about the safety of children and the responsibility of adults entrusted with transporting students to and from school.

The police said the suspect subsequently contacted the girl’s father and demanded ₦503,000 as ransom, allegedly threatening to kill the teenager if the money was not paid. Faced with the threat to his daughter’s life, the father reportedly paid the demanded amount. However, rather than returning the girl directly to her family, the suspect allegedly abandoned her along Oton Road in Sapele after receiving the money. The teenager was later reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications of sexual assault, according to the police account. Her identity has not been disclosed in the reports, in keeping with the need to protect the privacy of a minor involved in an alleged sexual offence.

Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced an investigation into the alleged abduction. The police said the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment. Investigators also invited the school’s principal and vice-principal for questioning as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Meanwhile, the suspect reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled after the alleged crime, prompting officers to intensify efforts to locate him. The investigation is expected to examine the reported movements of the suspect, the circumstances of the girl’s disappearance and any other evidence that could help establish what happened.

The police said operatives eventually traced Ughagha to a hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23, three days after the incident was reported. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the suspect reportedly confessed to involvement in the alleged crime during preliminary interrogation. The command stated that arrangements were being made to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation. The allegations have not yet been determined by a court, and the investigation will be required to establish the facts and any criminal responsibility. The police have assured the public that the matter will be thoroughly investigated.

Reacting to the incident, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale, condemned the alleged crime and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation. He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice. The commissioner also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to exercise greater vigilance when children are placed in the care of drivers and other adults. The case highlights the importance of effective background checks, reliable school transportation procedures, clear communication with parents and prompt reporting when a child goes missing. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to establish the full circumstances of the incident and pursue the case in accordance with the law.