Piqued by the growing incidence of child kidnapping in Owerri, Imo State capital, Governor Achike Udenwa has written President Olusegun Obasanjo and Inspector General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun, warning of imminent danger if urgent steps are not taken.

Udenwa, who made the disclosure yesterday in Owerri, when he summoned an emergency security meeting of Owerri residents, also offered a ransome of N5 million for anyone that could volunteer information for the arrest of the syndicate.

He noted that though more policemen had been despatched to the state to help check the ugly incident, there was need to put on more strength before the gang resorts to kidnapping adults in broad day light.

Udenwa recalled the 1996 notorious Otokoto riot in Owerri and its radical consequences on the people and economy of the state and pleaded with the people not to allow the ugly incident repeat itself.

He said the riot contributed largely to the economic down-turn in the state as well as seemingly perennial insecurity.

Udenwa expressed regret that security operatives were yet to fish out the child kidnappers, despite efforts by his government and wondered whether the gang was imported into the state or they are living with the citizens.

He traced the return of violent crime in the state to year 2002, which was prompted by 2003 general elections and expressed regret that security agencies have not been able to arrest the killers who murdered some prominent citizens then.

He pointed out that the most notorious axis where the incident had thrived is Amakohia/Akwakuma and Egbeada, all in Owerri and appealed to residents not to leave their fate to security agents but to join in the fight against the criminals.

The meeting was attended by Police Commissioner, Mr Hezekiah Dimkah, Brigade Commander, 34 Field Artillery Brigade Owerri, Director of State Security Service (SSS) and members of the state executive council.

Others were Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, President of NCWS in the state, chieftains of PDP and a host of others.