![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?")
Federal Capital Territory residents have expressed mixed feelings over the Nigerian government’s proposed nationwide ban on the use of motorcycles.
The Federal Government’s move is part of its strategy to curb terrorism and other heinous crimes where motorcycles are largely used by perpetrators.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the FCT, some residents commended the directive while others advised the Federal Government to rescind the decision.
Mr Sunday Uche, a commercial motorcyclist operating in FCT told NAN that the proposed ban would bring more hardship to him and his family if actualised.
“I will not be able to provide for my family if the Federal Government bans the operation of motorcycles because it is my only source of livelihood.
“The proposed ban on Okada nationwide will not only send thousands of youths into the labour market but will also affect motorcycle parts dealers negatively,” he said.
Mr Victor Dawara, another motorcyclist operating in Gwagwalada area said that the ban would affect average Nigerians who could not afford a car.
Mrs Esther Udoma, a housewife and Gwagwalada resident, said the nationwide ban of motorcycles would increase the rate of crime and insecurity in the country.
“It will be very difficult for those of us who reside in the remote areas, because of the bad road network.
“The Federal Government should not ban commercial motorcycles because it saves time and is also cheaper than other means of transportation”, she said.
Usman Mohammed, a mechanic in FCT said the ban would increase poverty and people would not afford three square meals for their families.
Mr Sani Lawal a Jabi resident, described the proposed ban as ‘a punishment against many, for the sins of a few people.’
According to him, “I don’t have a car and from my house to where I will get a vehicle to my office, is a far distance, I urge the Federal Government to have an alternative,” he said.
Ado Saleh, a commercial motorcycle operator said the ban would affect many commuters’ source of livelihood, adding that, motorcycle was a major mobility for a lot of Nigerians.
Ibrahim Abubakar, a motorcycle rider said that the proposed ban would lead to increase in crime rate as many of the motorcycle riders would join the bandits and also do all manner of illegal businesses in order to make a living.
Abubakar said that most Okada riders were men with many wives and children that they need to cater for and have no other business to do.
Bala Muhammad, another resident, however, described the directive as a step in the right direction.
According to him, many lives have been lost to the activities of some criminals, who use motorcycles and tricycles to perpetrate evil.
NAN further reports that the proposed ban has continued to generate comments including from the national assembly while the Federal Government is yet to make a final decision on the matter.
![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?")
