The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ebonyi has arrested three minors for alleged attempt to rape another minor and assault.
Two of the suspects are aged 15 and 13, the state commandant of the Corps, Elijah Willie, told journalists on Saturday in Abakaliki.
He added that the command was on the heels of a third suspect, currently on the run, adding that the incident occurred at Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
“They will be transferred to relevant juvenile authorities for necessary rehabilitation.
“There have been increasing cases of minors engaged in such acts, and it reflects the moral decadence in the society.
“I urge relevant stakeholders to take drastic actions to check the trend for the sake of our youths,” he said.
One of the minors, however, denied involvement in the act, saying he only reprimanded the victim for abusing him.
The NSCDC commandant also said they had arrested two suspects for alleged vandalism of electricity cables at the Ebonyi International Shopping Mall.
He said that the suspects, aged 21 and 22, hail from Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.
“Cases of vandalism are rampant in Ebonyi and we urge relevant stakeholders to sensitise the people, especially youths, to stop engaging in such acts.
“The NSCDC is seriously warning vandals to repent or face the full wrath of the command,” he warned.
He noted that the suspects would be prosecuted after the completion of investigation.
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![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")
