![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")
The Nigerian Navy has arrested a rating for stabbing and shooting Owen Edo-Ojo, a doctor, on Gbamgbala Street in Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos State.
The rating was arrested following a complaint by the victim’s mum, who lamented her son’s health and urged the Navy to fish out the culprit.
In a video, the aggrieved mother said her son had parked his car in front of a building when he had gone for a spa session before the naval personnel accosted him. He was stabbed in the neck and shot in his thigh and pelvis after an argument ensued.
In a statement by Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, spokesman of the Nigerian Navy, on Friday, the culprit has been arrested.
“The attention of the Nigerian Navy has been drawn to trending media reports on the alleged shooting and stabbing of a medical doctor, Dr Owen Edo-Ojo, by a drunk naval rating. The alleged incident was said to have occurred at Gbamgbala Street, Elegushi, in Lekki, Lagos, on March 19, 2022.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Navy wishes to inform the general public that the rating in question has been apprehended and detained while due investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to the alleged shooting and stabbing of Dr Owen by the naval rating.
“Furthermore, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship WEY at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, paid a visit to the Edo-Ojo family on March 24, 2022, to empathise and confirm the condition of their son, Dr Owen.
“Equally to state, as directed by the Chief of the Naval Staff that the rating if found culpable will be appropriately punished in line with extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
“The Nigerian Navy assures the general public that the service is not unmindful of the place of discipline, professionalism, and respect of the civil populace by naval personnel in the discharge of their duties. Accordingly, the general public is assured of the navy’s commitment to the respect and protection of law-abiding citizens while ensuring that appropriate punishment is meted out to any of its personnel that violates extant regulations and Standard Operating Procedure,” the statement read.
![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")
