Driver Allegedly Abducts, Rapes Student After N503,000 Ransom

A 14-year-old schoolgirl has been allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a school bus driver in Delta State after he reportedly collected N503,000 ransom from her father and threatened to kill her if the money was not paid.

The 28-year-old suspect, identified as Onome Lucky Ughagha, was arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command on October 23, 2026, after allegedly fleeing and abandoning the school bus following the incident in Sapele.

According to the police, the victim’s father reported the incident to the Sapele Area Command on October 20, alleging that the driver abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school.

The suspect allegedly contacted the girl’s father, demanded N503,000 and threatened to kill the teenager if the ransom was not paid.

After the money was reportedly transferred, the girl was allegedly abandoned along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications that she had been sexually assaulted.

The police said the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment after the report was received.

Operatives of the Sapele Area Command subsequently launched an investigation and intensified efforts to locate the suspect, who had reportedly fled after abandoning the school bus.

The school’s principal and vice principal were also invited for questioning as part of the investigation.

Acting on intelligence, police operatives tracked the suspect to a hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23.

The police said the suspect confessed to his alleged involvement in the crime during preliminary interrogation.

He is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Samuel E. Erale, condemned the incident and vowed that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

He also urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to strengthen measures to protect children entrusted to their care.

The police said investigations into the case were ongoing.