A 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Ughagha, has been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student in Sapele.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect was arrested after reportedly demanding and collecting N503,000 in ransom from the student’s father.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to the PPRO, the incident was reported at the Sapele Area Command on Tuesday by the victim’s father, who alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school.

“The suspect subsequently contacted him (the father), demanded N503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid,” the police statement added.

The statement noted that following the payment, the victim was reportedly abandoned along Oton Road, Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications of sexual assault.

Upon receipt of the report, the statement added that the operatives of the Sapele Area Command immediately commenced investigations, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

The school principal and vice-principal were invited for questioning, while efforts were intensified to apprehend the suspect, who had abandoned the school bus and fled, the police further stated.

However, acting on credible intelligence, the operatives subsequently traced the suspect to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on Friday.

During preliminary interrogation, he reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime.

The spokesperson for the command affirmed that arrangements were underway to transfer the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, has condemned the incident and reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.

The CP assured that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”

The police boss further called on school authorities, parents and transport operators to “exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children,” stressing that the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.