The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school driver, Onome Lucky, for allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old schoolgirl before collecting ₦173,000 from her father as ransom.

The suspect, who was reportedly employed about two months before the incident to convey pupils from their homes to school, allegedly diverted the girl to a bush on October 20, 2026, instead of taking her to school.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Delta State Command, SP Edafe Bright, disclosed the development while presenting the suspect, expressing sadness over the alleged abuse of the trust placed in him by the school and the victim’s family.

According to Bright, the suspect allegedly contacted the girl’s father after taking her to the bush and falsely claimed that she had been kidnapped, demanding ₦200,000 for her release.

The suspect reportedly admitted during police questioning that ₦173,000 was eventually collected from the victim’s family.

In the recorded interrogation, the suspect also acknowledged taking the girl to the bush and sexually assaulting her, while describing how the ransom was collected.

Bright condemned the alleged crime, particularly the exploitation of a position that gave the suspect access to children and the confidence of their parents.

“He is a driver employed by a school, ostensibly to go to the homes of their students, carry and convey them to school,” he said, questioning how someone entrusted with such a responsibility could allegedly turn against a child in his care.

The police spokesperson said the suspect’s alleged conduct underscored the need for schools and parents to exercise greater caution when engaging people to transport children.

During the interrogation, the suspect reportedly told police that after collecting the ransom, he spent some of the money on food and drinks and went to a brothel.

Bright said the command tracked down and arrested the suspect within two days of the incident.

“It didn’t take us two days; we were able to round him up and arrest him,” he said, adding that the suspect would face the consequences of his alleged actions through the legal process.

The command’s disclosure has renewed concerns about child safety and the screening of school transport workers, whose duties require them to handle children in the absence of their parents.

Further details on the victim’s condition and the next stage of the investigation were not provided in the recorded briefing.