![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")
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, has warned that anyone contemplating a coup against the government is “wasting their time”, describing those accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu as “a bunch of confused individuals”.
Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Musa said the military officers and civilians currently facing prosecution over an alleged coup plot had been identified and investigated by security authorities, stressing that they are being given the opportunity to defend themselves in court.
The alleged plot first came into focus after the federal government cancelled the military parade planned for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration in October 2025. Reports later emerged linking the decision to concerns over a possible attempt to unseat the government.
In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that security agencies had uncovered a plot to overthrow Tinubu’s administration. Several military personnel, police officers and civilians accused of involvement are now facing prosecution.
Musa, who served as Chief of Defence Staff when the alleged conspiracy was uncovered, said he played a role in reporting the matter, identifying suspects and overseeing investigations.
He argued that democracy remains superior to military rule and said the case should serve as a lesson to younger military officers.
“What we are trying to do now is to show the junior ones that coup doesn’t pay anything. Democracy is far better than any military regime,” he said.
The minister criticised the alleged masterminds, claiming they misled junior officers into becoming involved.
“I just looked at the people that were involved, and I shook my head because they are just a bunch of confused individuals that exposed junior officers that didn’t know their left from their right and put them into this mess,” Musa said.
He maintained that members of the armed forces have no justification for supporting a coup, citing improvements in welfare, allowances and military equipment.
According to him, troops are receiving better support from the government, while efforts are ongoing to strengthen the military’s operational capacity.
Musa also expressed confidence that any future attempt to seize power would fail, insisting that Nigerians themselves would reject such a move.
“Anybody who is thinking of planning a coup is just wasting their time. Even the civilians in Nigeria will have taken them down,” he said.
![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")
