By Akinwale Kasali
A 14-year old female student of a private school in Sapele, Delta State was allegedly ra*ed in a bush by the driver of her school bus.
The teenager was allegedly taken into a bush by the school driver, Onome Lucky Ughagha, instead of taking her to School. He then called her father that the minor has been kidnapped.
The 28-year old bus driver contacted the victim’s father and demanded a ransom of N503,000, and threatening to kill the minor if the money was not paid.
After collecting a ransom of N173,000, the suspect violently defiled the teenager despite her begging and pleading, deflowered her, and abandoned her along Oton Road, Sapele.
The incident was reported at the Sapele Area Command on October 20, 2026, by the victim’s father.
The teenager reunited with her family in a traumatised condition with signs of se*ual assault and was immediately taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
Upon receiving the report, operatives of Sapele Area Command commenced investigation and invited the school’s principal and vice-principal for questioning. The suspect had abandoned the school bus and fled.
Acting on credible intelligence, Police operatives traced him to his hideout in Ajimele area of Sapele where he was arrested on October 23, 2026.
In a recorded confession, Police said the suspect initially demanded N200,000 but later collected N173,000.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, while parading the suspect on Monday, Onome allegedly abducted the girl while taking her to school, and diverted her to a bush, where he called the parents demanding for a ransom.
After the payment of the ransom, he forcefully ra*ed the Girl and abandoned her.
During preliminary interrogation, he reportedly confessed to the crime.
The Police said the suspect, who claimed the school employed him in September, confessed to spending the ransom money at a brothel to pay for services of commercial s*x workers, where he also hid for two days before his arrest.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation.
The Police added that arrangements are underway to transfer the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Asaba, Delta State Capital for further investigation, while advising schools to thoroughly screen those they employ as drivers and caregivers.
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