![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-300x200.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
The Nigerian Army says it will not succumb to intimidation by IPOB and the International Society for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law (INTERSOCIETY) in its effort to rubbish army’s image and reputation.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Nwachukwu said that INTERSOCIETY had continued with its antics of dragging the image of the Nigerian army in the mud while promoting irredentists, lawless and outlawed organisations.
He said the allegation by the organisation that the Nigerian military, especially the army had been working with armed herdsmen/bandits to terrorise the Eastern part of the country and Benue was libelous, spurious and derogatory.
According to him, a cursory look at the content reveals a business-as-usual pattern of propaganda by the well known, paid jobbers and fifth columnists christened INTERSOCIETY.
“Unfortunately for these mischief makers, the highly patriotic and untiring efforts of the Nigerian army to neutrally defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria is visible enough and boldly seen by all and have received international accolades.
“It is on this unmistakable pedigree, that the army wishes to dismiss these concoctions and evil propaganda peddled and served to unsuspecting members of the public by INTERSOCIETY.”
He alleged that INTERSOCIETY is covertly sponsored by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) with the singular purpose of destabilising the country.
“It is on record, that the Nigerian army conducted and will still conduct series of exercises not only in the South Eastern states, but across all the states of the federation.
“This has reasonably reduced criminality especially in the South East, where INTERSOCIETY’s cohorts like IPOB and ESN can no longer enjoy freedom of action to unleash death and mayhem on Ndigbo and other Nigerians, who do not support their evil bid.
“INTERSOCIETY’s unprofessional posture is crystal clear and evident in its biased and unbalanced submissions and reportage, as it has never openly condemned the atrocious activities of IPOB/ ESN, for which it is fronting.
“INTERSOCIETY will rather turn a blind eye, when these groups illegally deny law abiding citizens their rights to freedom of movement and association, through their illegal sit-at-home order,.
“They also pretend not to notice attacks on military, police, paramilitary personnel and other security agencie’s attack and callous beheading of Nigerians including Ndigbo, destruction of government facilities and infrastructure, amongst myriads of other nefarious activities,” he said.
Nwachukwu said that the army had through the conduct of its exercises, checkmated and drastically reduced their criminal activities and other sundry crimes in South Eastern Nigeria.
He said the recently concluded Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2022 held in Owerri, Imo, saw the Nigerian army bringing succor to the South Easterners through organised medical outreaches, renovation of schools, sinking of boreholes and road repairs.
These, according to him, are totally in dissonance with the image being concocted of the Nigerian army by the glorified Civil Society Organisation (INTERSOCIETY) and their collaborators.
“The Nigerian army, therefore, remains a professional institution that is resolved to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“The Nigeria army will never be distracted by mischief makers, who find pleasure in blackmailing and defaming the institution to gain cheap publicity and satisfy the interest of fifth columnists, in their unrelenting effort to destabilise the nation.”
“According to him, the army is not by this reaction denying the presence of black sheep in its fold, just like in any other organisation or institution.
“We are very mindful of and actively monitoring and effectively handling the issue of black ship in our fold within the provisions of extant laws.
“We call on INTERSOCIETY to channel its energy like the Nigerian army into nation building, rather than tearing our nation apart. Nigeria remains our nation and no other.
“The Nigerian army will continue to count on the support of all Nigerians and international community, as it selflessly continues to carry out its constitutional mandate to defend Nigeria and restore sanity and peace in all troubled parts of the country,” he added.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
