Ifeoluwa Oladimeji
Onome Ughagha, a 28-year old school bus driver has been nabbed by the police in Delta State over the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a 14-year old female student in Sapele.
Spokesperson of the command, Bright Edafe, revealed this in a statement, adding that the suspect was arrested after demanding and collecting N503,000 from the student’s father as ransom.
The PPRO said the incident was reported at the Sapele Area Command on Tuesday by the victim’s father, who alleged that the suspect kidnapped his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school.
The statement added that operatives of the Sapele Area Command immediately commenced investigations, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The statement said “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 Iron Road, Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatized condition, with indications of sexual assault.
“While efforts were intensified to apprehend the suspect, the school principal and vice – principal were invited for questioning, who had 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 picked up on Friday.”
He confirmed that arrangements were ongoing to transfer the suspect to the state criminal investigation department in Asaba for further investigation during preliminary interrogation. He reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime.
He 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.
