![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?")
The Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, declared on Thursday that the 2026 Nzem Berom Festival would be suspended due to rising insecurity in Plateau State and other parts of the country.
The festival was originally slated to take place on April 24.
The supreme ruler revealed this while speaking to journalists at his palace in Jos, the state capital.
He stated that the decision was made during a meeting of the Jos Joint Traditional Council, Berom groups, and elders, during which the current security situation was thoroughly assessed.
“The purpose of my address is to acquaint you with the outcome of the meeting of the Jos Joint Traditional Council, along with all Berom organizations and elders,” he said.
Buba noted that, while preparations had gotten to the point of forming an organizing committee and inviting guests, the deteriorating security situation prompted a change of plans.
“We had earlier set up a committee to organize the 2026 Nzem Berom Festival as usual. However, in view of the prevailing insecurity in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria, we found it necessary to reassess whether the festival could still hold as planned,” he said.
He mentioned that recent attacks on several communities, resulting in loss of lives, informed the unanimous decision to suspend the event.
“Following deliberations with the Jos Joint Traditional Council, the Central Organizing Committee, Berom organizations, and elders, it was unanimously agreed that the festival be suspended,” he added.
The Gbong Gwom acknowledged the decision as tough but essential given the circumstances.
“The hard decision, as unpleasant as it is, was necessitated by the realities on the ground. It was a collective resolution,” he said.
He did, however, clarify that the suspension was just temporary and assured everyone that a new date would be announced once the security situation improved.
“When the security situation improves, we will fix a new date. It is not our intention to be deterred from holding our festival,” he said.
Buba also stated that the Berom nation was currently mourning victims of recent attacks across the state.
“We have lost many lives within the Berom nation and other parts of Plateau State. We are in mourning and must show solidarity with affected families and communities,” he said.
He urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, urging them not to take the law into their hands.
“We urge our people to remain calm and vigilant and to support security agencies with credible information to aid their operations,” he said.
The traditional monarch also verified that the newly appointed Commissioner of Police had visited the traditional council and pledged to work with security services to restore peace.
“We have assured the security agencies of our cooperation in intelligence gathering and support to ensure lasting peace in the state,” he added.
In recent weeks, violence has flared up in parts of Plateau State, particularly in the Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, where several communities have been attacked, resulting in deaths and displacement of residents.
Following a recent incident in the Angwa Rukuba community, tension has been reported in Jos North Local Government Area as well.
![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?")
