![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")
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has appealed for sustained prayers and unity among residents as bandits launched yet another deadly attack in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, abducting dozens and leaving casualties behind.
In the well-planned attack, gunmen stormed Wasagu town and kidnapped an unknown number of locals before moving on to Government Girls’ Secondary School in Maga, where they kidnapped twenty-five pupils.
The attack claimed the life of the vice principal and injured another.
Chronicle NG reports that the gunmen abducted the students in the early hours of Monday.
A combined team of police and military personnel had already started a rescue effort, according to CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, who verified the incident.
Senator Umar Tafida, the governor’s deputy, was sent to the affected area after the occurrence to evaluate the situation and reassure locals of the government’s dedication to their safety.
The attackers, who are thought to have entered the state from neighboring Zamfara, are being tracked by a combined security team that has been strengthened by additional soldiers sent from Abuja.
In a message to the impacted communities that his Special Advisor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Zuru, made available to reporters, Idris voiced concern about the frequent incursions by bandits from neighboring states and nations, pointing out that Kebbi’s rural communities have suffered the most from these persistent attacks.
He emphasized that Kebbi State has continued to support security services financially, logistically, and with operational instruments, reiterating his administration’s commitment to fighting insecurity head-on.
Important national figures, such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; former Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd); and former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), have also attended several security conferences called by the governor.
“As part of ongoing security support, the state recently distributed 100 Hilux patrol vehicles and 5,000 motorcycles to security agencies to enhance mobility and response time across volatile areas,” the statement added.
![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")
