![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families of Nigerians who died in the recent and tragic accidental bombing in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State.
In a statement signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Monday, Tinubu noted that most of the victims tragically died while reciting the Shadada as they observed maulud, a central statement of faith for practicing Muslims.
“They were Nigerians of profound faith, and in the moment of the tragedy, they were reciting the Shadada.
“God Almighty comforts their families as their nation grieves their passage into glory. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” the president prayed.
While speaking at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, Tinubu pledged that the Federal Government will continue to do everything in its power to support and care for the families of all Nigerians affected by the remnants of insecurity in parts of Borno State.
“This is my most sacred responsibility, and the trajectory of the larger effort shown by the ratio of victory over defeat has been sliding well in our favor since the new administration has resumed office.
“We are not satisfied yet. We are not satisfied until we reach the end of insecurity in Nigeria,” Tinubu declared.
The president stated that security issues would remain a primary priority under his administration, but not just on the battlefield.
“We will provide better amenities and benefits to our gallant armed forces and their families. We are committed to this, and this is factored into the 2024 budget.
“We will ensure that our administration reflects the grateful heart of the Nigerian people in the way we treat those who make the ultimate sacrifices on our behalf,” the president affirmed.
The Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Tinubu, has worked hard to connect all parts of the nation’s security architecture by closely coordinating missions and improving inter-agency intelligence sharing at all levels.
Prof. Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State, hailed the steady progress in collaboration between security services and the Borno State Government.
“We have seen the close working relationship between our state and the security agencies.
“The results speak for themselves. We remain committed to the achievement of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the fight against insecurity anywhere it exists in Nigeria.
“We thank you for your leadership, Mr. President. We will continue to give all required support to the Nigerian Armed Forces,” Zulum said.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, for his part, encouraged the President to direct his infrastructure investments to areas ravaged by insurgency over the years.
“We seek the revival of the Lake Chad Commission to provide succor to the large communities in Lake Chad’s surrounding areas.
“We seek power projects and job creation initiatives for our unemployed youths.
“Governor Zulum has been performing beyond what is humanly possible, but his resources are limited. Please assist him,” the Shehu of Borno stated.
Tinubu commended the Shehu of Borno for assisting the government of Borno State and the Federal Government in maintaining peace and stability in the region and vowed to increase the active participation of traditional institutions in ensuring stability at the grassroots level across the country.
![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
