![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?")
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) said all domestic airlines could suspend operations from April 20 if urgent action is not taken to address the spike in aviation fuel costs.
In a notice dated April 14, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, AON president, raised the alarm in a letter to Clement Isong, executive secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria.
Top government officials, including Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, and Festus Keyamo, were copied in the correspondence alongside regulators and security agencies.
Fuel price surge sparks crisis
According to AON, the price of Jet A1 fuel has surged from N900 per litre in February to N3,300 per litre — a rise of more than 300 percent within weeks.
The association described the increase as “astronomical and artificial,” noting that it does not reflect global crude oil trends, which have seen only moderate increases.
Airlines say they have absorbed the rising costs for weeks, continuing operations out of national duty, but warn that the situation has now become unsustainable.
Airlines face collapse risk
The group said current revenues can no longer cover fuel expenses, let alone other operational costs.
It warned that the actions of fuel marketers are crippling the aviation sector, with one airline already forced to suspend operations since March 13.
AON cautioned that a wider shutdown could trigger severe economic consequences, including job losses, financial strain on banks, and disruptions to national security.
Passengers and economy at risk
Operators added that increasing ticket prices to match fuel costs could reduce passenger demand, while a complete shutdown would have far-reaching implications for travel and business activities.
“Airlines are now facing existential threats, with serious consequences for the broader economy,” the group said.
Final warning issued
AON urged fuel marketers to align prices with international benchmarks, stressing that airlines can no longer sustain purchases at current rates.
The association said its notice serves as a final appeal, warning that if conditions do not improve, a nationwide shutdown of airline operations will take effect on April 20.
![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?")
