![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 "Anthony Odiong: Nigerian Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison over sexual assault")
The Kogi State Police Command has prevented an attempted attack on the Obajana Operational Base by suspected criminals and arrested many suspects.
CSP William Aya, the state Police Public Relations Officer, delivered this statement on Monday in Lokoja, the state capital.
Aya stated that the operation was a follow-up to last weekend’s security onslaught, which was supported by the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing with precise airstrikes on known flashpoints, hideouts, and assembly locations frequented by bandits and other criminal elements in the state.
The statement partly read, “The operation recorded significant success, which is believed to have provoked sleeper cells of the hoodlums.
“In a bid to retaliate, the criminal elements attempted to launch an attack on assets and facilities at the Obajana Operational Base.”
He stated that the attempt was swiftly repelled as police operatives on duty conducted a coordinated counter-drill, effectively neutralizing and degrading the assailants.
“As a result of the operation, several suspects were arrested, many of whom sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries during the exchange.
“Law enforcement actions are ongoing to track and apprehend other fleeing suspects, as well as to unravel the source and motive behind the attack on the police operational base,” the statement added.
Aya said that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Special Operations in Kogi State, AIG Alonyenu F. Idu, and the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, went to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
“During the visit, the AIG commended and motivated the officers and men at the operational base, urging them to sustain their courage, vigilance, and professionalism in the ongoing onslaught against banditry and other criminal activities in the state,” Aya said.
The police informed Kogi State citizens, particularly those in Obajana and surrounding areas, that security operations would be intensified until all criminal syndicates were fully demolished.
“Members of the public are encouraged to support the police by providing timely and useful information and promptly reporting suspicious movements, strange persons, or groups to the nearest law enforcement agency.
“Such cooperation remains vital to sustaining peace, safety, and harmony across the state,” the statement concluded.
![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 "Anthony Odiong: Nigerian Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison over sexual assault")
