![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 Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has made a global call for collaboration to combat the escalating security challenges posed by cattle rustling and the emerging threats from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) materials across Africa.
Egbetokun, who spoke at the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, highlighted the dangerous evolution of cattle rustling from a local issue into a sophisticated criminal enterprise that fuels terrorism and other transnational crimes.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, emphasising Nigeria’s commitment to global security.
He said, “The Inspector-General of Police reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to leading from the front, sharing best practices, and working collaboratively with its regional and international partners to ensure peace, security, and resilience in Africa and beyond.”
Egbetotun stated that cattle rustling has become a key source of funding for armed groups and cross-border criminal networks.
The police chief warned of the perilous connection between this form of livestock theft and the proliferation of CBRNE threats.
“This includes the spread of zoonotic diseases like anthrax and brucellosis, the use of smuggling routes for trafficking radioactive materials, and the financing of improvised explosive device (IED) production with proceeds from stolen livestock,” Egbetokun said.
To address this complex security problem, the IG outlined a comprehensive six-pillar strategy.
He said, “This framework includes intelligence fusion, reforms in livestock markets, strengthening anti-money laundering measures, enhanced border cooperation, community partnerships, and a robust preparedness plan for CBRNE threats.”
Egbetokun ended his speech by appealing for continental and global cooperation to secure Africa’s livestock trade, protect rural populations, and shut the regional weaknesses that extremists exploit.
On the sidelines of the conference, the IG had strategic talks with major foreign partners.
He met with INTERPOL President Major General Dr Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi and Secretary-General Valdecy Urquiza to discuss ways to improve border security, enhance access to global policing databases, and improve real-time information sharing.
He also met with a Brazilian delegation to strengthen Nigeria-Brazil police cooperation through intelligence sharing and capacity building for countering CBRNE threats.
![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")
