Delta State police detain school bus driver after alleged kidnapping, rape of 14‑year‑old in Sapele

Police in Delta State have taken into custody a 28‑year‑old school bus driver accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14‑year‑old girl in Sapele. The suspect, identified as Onome Ughagha, was arrested after investigators traced him to a hideout in the Ajimele area of the town, following a report that he had demanded N503,000 from the victim’s father and threatened to kill the child if the money was not paid. The girl was released on Oton Road, where she was found in a traumatised state and taken for medical examination.

The incident was first reported to the Sapele Area Command on Tuesday by the father of the victim, who said his daughter was taken while she was preparing to leave for school. According to a statement from Delta State Police Command spokesperson SP Bright Edafe, the suspect collected the ransom and then abandoned the school bus before fleeing. Police operatives quickly launched an investigation, questioning the school’s principal and vice‑principal, and later located Ughagha’s hideout, where he was arrested on Friday. During preliminary questioning, he reportedly confessed to the crime.

Background

The case unfolded in Sapele, a town in Delta State, after the victim’s father reported the abduction to the police. The police statement indicated that the suspect contacted the father, demanded N503,000 and threatened the child’s life. After the ransom was paid, the girl was left on Oton Road and subsequently reunited with her family. The police noted that the victim showed signs of sexual assault and was taken to a medical facility for treatment. The school’s senior staff were summoned for questioning, and the suspect’s school bus was abandoned at the scene. The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident, emphasising the force’s commitment to protecting children and urging greater vigilance from schools, parents and transport operators.

Why it matters

The arrest highlights concerns over child safety in school transport and the broader issue of violence against children in Nigeria. The alleged ransom of N503,000 underscores the financial exploitation that can accompany such crimes. The involvement of a school bus driver raises questions about the vetting and monitoring of individuals responsible for transporting children. The Commissioner’s statement reflects official pressure to improve safeguarding measures, with potential implications for policy and enforcement by the State Criminal Investigation Department, to which the suspect will be transferred for further investigation.

What happens next

According to the police command, the suspect will be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for continued investigation. The authorities have indicated that investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will face prosecution. No further legal proceedings or court dates have been announced at this stage, but the case is expected to proceed through the criminal justice system, with ongoing monitoring by child‑protection agencies and school authorities.