A Sapele school bus driver has been arrested over the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a 14-year-old student, the Delta State Police Command says. Police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Onome Lucky Ughagha, who was arrested on 23 October 2026. He is also accused of collecting a ransom from the girl’s father. The allegations have not been tested in court.
According to police spokesperson SP Bright Edafe, the girl’s father reported the case at the Sapele Area Command on 20 October. He said the driver abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school. The suspect then allegedly contacted the father, demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the girl if it was not paid. After the payment, police said, the girl was abandoned along Oton Road in Sapele. Her family found her, and she was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The case at a glance
| Suspect (named by police) | Onome Lucky Ughagha, 28 |
| Allegations | Kidnap, sexual assault and collecting a ransom |
| Ransom (police figure) | ₦503,000 |
| Reported to police | 20 October 2026, Sapele Area Command |
| Arrested | 23 October 2026, Ajimele area of Sapele |
| Next step | Transfer to the State CID in Asaba |
| Court | No arraignment reported yet |
Police say the suspect abandoned the school bus and fled. Operatives acting on credible intelligence traced him to a hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele. The Punch reported that he confessed during preliminary interrogation. However, a confession to police does not prove guilt, and only a court can decide that.
Police also invited the school’s principal and vice principal for questioning while the search continued. Reports do not say whether the school faces any charge. Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale condemned the incident and promised to protect children from violence and exploitation. He urged school authorities, parents and transport operators to be more vigilant.
Some social media posts gave the ransom as ₦170,000. Police gave ₦503,000, so this report uses the police figure. Parents may also wish to ask schools how they vet drivers and supervise pick-ups.
The suspect is presumed innocent until a court rules otherwise. Sojworldnews is not naming the victim, her family or her school, to protect her identity. We will update this report as the case moves forward.
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