The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Lucky Ughagha, over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student in Sapele, after reportedly collecting ₦503,000 in ransom from the victim’s father.

The suspect was arrested on October 23, 2026, following investigations into the incident, which was reported to the Sapele Area Command on October 20 by the victim’s father.

The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, and dated October 25, 2026.

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According to the police, the father alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school. The suspect reportedly contacted him afterward, demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid.

After the payment was made, the victim was allegedly abandoned along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications of sexual assault.

Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced investigations, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

The police also invited the school’s principal and vice principal for questioning as investigations continued.

The suspect reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled after the incident. However, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives traced him to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime, according to the police.

The command said arrangements were underway to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, condemned the alleged crime and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation.

The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to “protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.”

He also assured the public that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”

Erale 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.”

Two suspected political thugs have reportedly died following an attack on the convoy of Rollins Offia Nwali, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when Nwali’s motorcade was returning from Amazekewe community, according to a report published by SaharaReporters on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Security sources told the publication that the attackers allegedly opened fire on the candidate’s convoy, prompting security personnel attached to him to return fire after ensuring the safety of Nwali and his team.

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One of the suspected attackers reportedly died at the scene, while the second was said to have died later in hospital. One of the deceased was identified as Jude Nwamgbada.

The attackers were alleged to have been armed with AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns.

However, the identities and political affiliations of the attackers could not be independently verified as of the time of the report.

NDC Candidate Confirms Attack, Says Hilux Was Burnt

Nwali confirmed the incident in a statement shared on his Facebook page, disclosing that his Toyota Hilux was set ablaze during the attack.

He expressed gratitude to security agencies for ensuring the safety of everyone in his convoy.

“My motorcade was attacked today by armed hoodlums who opened fire on our vehicles while we were returning from Amazekewe. My Toyota Hilux was set ablaze and completely burnt in the attack,” he said.

“Thankfully, we are all safe, and I sincerely appreciate the professionalism and gallantry of the security agencies who ensured our safety.”

The NDC candidate also acknowledged reports of casualties among the attackers, expressing sympathy for those affected and their families.

“I have also been informed that there were casualties among those who carried out the attack. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to those affected and their families. Regardless of the circumstances, the loss of human life is deeply regrettable,” he added.

Nwali Warns Youths Against Political Violence

Following the incident, Nwali appealed to young people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians seeking power at the expense of their lives.

He urged youths to consider the consequences of participating in political violence, stressing that no political ambition justified the loss of human life.

“No political ambition is worth the life of any young person, and no young person should have to lose their life in pursuit of another person’s political ambition,” he said.

The candidate further insisted that the attack would not deter him from pursuing his political ambition and serving the people of Ezza South.

“As for us, we are prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to serve our people, and I assure you that no amount of intimidation or violence will deter us from this course,” he added.

Attack Comes Amid Reported Political Violence in South-East

The incident comes amid a series of reported attacks involving members and supporters of the NDC in the South-East, particularly in neighbouring Enugu State.

On October 10, suspected political thugs reportedly attacked NDC supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene, Enugu, as they gathered to welcome the party’s governorship candidate, Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.

Video footage of the incident reportedly showed supporters fleeing amid sporadic gunfire, while a suspected attacker was seen assaulting an NDC supporter with a plank.

Amnesty International subsequently condemned the attack, describing it as part of a troubling pattern of violence targeting opposition members.

Another incident occurred at the NDC secretariat in the Government Reserved Area of Enugu, where armed men allegedly opened fire during preparations for the party’s campaign flag-off.

The shooting reportedly left a man who was repairing a vehicle with a gunshot injury and damaged five parked cars.

Nworie Christopher, an NDC member from Affa in Udi Local Government Area, later died from injuries sustained during the attack on the party’s campaign office.

The Enugu State Police Command reportedly ordered an investigation into the shooting, while Governor Peter Mbah pledged to prosecute those responsible for the airport and secretariat attacks.

The NDC has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating intimidation against its members. However, the alleged APC affiliation of those involved in the Ebonyi incident has not been independently verified.

The party has also called for an independent investigation into previous attacks on its members in Enugu State.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain comments from the Ebonyi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, reportedly did not answer calls or respond to a message seeking his reaction to the incident.

The Ogun State Police Command has taken a 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola, into custody in connection with a suspected arson incident that claimed the life of his 40-year-old wife, Igbagbo Erobe, in the Igbo-Edu area of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.

The incident was reported at the Abigi Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday, October 18, 2026, following information that a house had been set ablaze, resulting in the woman’s death.

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The Ogun State Police Command disclosed the development in a press release issued on Sunday, stating that the husband was in custody in connection with the incident.

The deceased’s body has been deposited at a mortuary for post-mortem examination to establish further details surrounding her death.

The police also disclosed that the case was being processed for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, assured the public that the matter would be investigated diligently and professionally in accordance with the law.

According to the statement, the commissioner assured the public that “the matter will be investigated diligently and professionally in accordance with the law.”

Ojajuni reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that allegations of serious crimes would receive appropriate investigative attention.

The command also called on members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly and provide credible information that could assist crime prevention and ongoing investigations.

“The Command urges members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly and provide credible information that may assist crime prevention and ongoing investigations,” the statement read.

The circumstances surrounding the fire and the alleged involvement of the husband remain subject to investigation.