Delta State Police Command has taken into custody 28‑year‑old school bus driver Onome Lucky Ughagha, accused of abducting, demanding a ₦503,000 ransom and sexually assaulting a 14‑year‑old girl in Sapele. The victim was found alive on October 23, 2026, after the suspect was located in the Ajimele area of the town.
**What happened on October 20, 2026?**
The boy’s father reported the disappearance of his daughter to the Sapele Area Command on October 20, 2026, claiming the driver had seized her while she was preparing for school. The father later received a call from the suspect demanding ₦503,000 and threatening to kill the minor if the money was not paid. After the ransom was handed over, the girl was left on Oton Road, Sapele, in a state of trauma and with signs of sexual assault.
**How did the police respond?**
"Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command immediately commenced investigations, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment," said SP Bright Edafe, the state Police Public Relations Officer. The school’s principal and vice‑principal were summoned for questioning, and officers intensified efforts to locate the driver, who had abandoned the bus and fled.
**Where was the suspect captured?**
Acting on credible intelligence, detectives traced Ughagha to a hideout in the Ajimele neighbourhood of Sapele and arrested him on October 23, 2026. During an initial interrogation, the driver reportedly confessed to the kidnapping, ransom demand and sexual assault. He is now being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further questioning.
**What did the state’s top police official say?**
State Commissioner of Police Samuel E. Erale condemned the crime, reaffirming the command’s dedication to protecting children from violence and exploitation. He promised a thorough investigation and warned that anyone found guilty would face the full force of the law. Erale also called on school authorities, parents and transport operators to heighten vigilance in safeguarding children, emphasizing that the safety of every child under their care must remain paramount.
The incident underscores the risks faced by schoolchildren in the region and highlights the need for stricter monitoring of school transport services. Authorities have pledged to review existing protocols and work closely with educational institutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.