![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")
An explosion involving a hand grenade injured a female soldier named Mohammed and two children in Maraba, Abacha Road, Nasarawa.
The explosion occurred around 11:46 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
According to an incident record acquired exclusively by PUNCH Online on Friday, a woman took the grenade out of her flat while cleaning and asked the soldier to assist in identifying it.
The grenade reportedly detonated while being handled, injuring the soldier and two children of the woman who provided it.
According to the report, preliminary results show that the device was left in the flat three years ago by an unidentified soldier serving in the Northeast.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the grenade was brought by a yet-to-be-identified soldier serving in the Northeast three years ago. The soldier left the grenade in his sister’s room, who is living in the same compound as Mohammed.
“It was further gathered that the sister of the soldier brought out the grenade from her apartment during cleaning and asked the victim to identify if it was useful or should be discarded.
“However, upon receipt of confirmation, the grenade exploded immediately, causing severe injury to Mohammed’s left wrist and other injuries to her body. Also, two children of the woman who brought out the grenade were severely injured,” the report said.
According to the allegation, the soldier was brought to a private hospital in Keffi before being transferred to the Defence Headquarters Medical Centre in Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
She was eventually referred to Cedarcrest Hospital in Apo, where she is now being treated.
“The victim was initially rushed to Nagari Allah Private Hospital, Keffi, by her sister and some of her co-tenants but was later evacuated to DHQ Medical Centre, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja. Subsequently, she was referred to Cedarcrest Hospital at Apo, where she is presently receiving treatment.
“Importantly, her condition has stabilized as she is responding to treatment. Investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident. Relevant pictures are attached,” the report said.
When reached, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Operations, stated he had not been updated on the situation.
![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")
