![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 (NN) has warned the general public to disregard a bogus and fraudulent advertisement for recruitment in the 2023–2024 Direct Short Service Commission that has been spreading on social media.
The Navy stated that for the advertisement of such enlistment exercises, it will normally notify the public through its official website, www.nigeriannavy.mil.ng, and other reputable verifiable channels, includingmainstreamm media.
Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan, Director of Naval Information, stated in a statement that “the attention of the Naval Headquarters has been drawn to a fraudulent online advertisement on the enlistment exercise for Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) into the NN captioned: Nigerian Navy DSSC Recruitment 2023/2024 Application Form Portal/www.joinnigerianavy.com.
“The false publication advised interested applicants to visit https://www.topnigerianjobs.com/nigeria-dssc-recruitment/. claiming that the Nigerian Navy DSSC Recruitment 2023 portal is currently open for online applications.
“The criminals also stated that applicants will be intimated on the opening and closing dates for the 2023–2024 Nigerian Navy DSSC Recruitment.
“It was further mentioned that detailed information, guidelines, and other requirements that will assist applicants in the application process have been provided, invariably cajoling unsuspecting individuals tologn into the fake website.
“It is important to note that the NN did not announce any DSSC enlistment exercise, nor is the service conducting any form of enlistment for the NN officer cadre.
“For avoidance of doubt, the NN will usually notify the public through its official website, www.nigeriannavy.mil.ng, and other credible verifiable platforms, including mainstream media, for the advertisement of such an enlistment exercise.
“In addition, contrary to the false statement provided by the unscrupulous swindlers regarding the non-disclosure of the opening and closing dates of the exercise, the NN will always provide details and phases of the entire exercise when publicized.
“Accordingly, members of the public, especially would-be applicants, are strongly advised to always verify information from the NN official website stated above and other official NN social media handles to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.”
![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")
