![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 Oyo State Government has set machinery in motion to clamp down on street traders with the enforcement of a total ban on street trading in the State.
A statement by Rotimi Babalola, PRO, Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, on Wednesday in Ibadan said the move came following the state Government’s sensitization at Ibadan markets many weeks ago on the need to get rid of illegal trading.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Modupe Adeleye, said the move is in furtherance of the state government’s commitment to stamp out street trading on the state highways and other major streets in the metropolis.
She said in Oyo State, street trading is now prohibited and a punishable offence according to the environmental laws of the State.
Mrs. Adeleye added that the State government, under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde, places a premium on the safety of lives and properties.
According to her, “It is no longer news to anyone that the Oyo State Government will no longer tolerate street trading in the State and the ministry will be enforcing the law in full force, henceforth”.
Adeleye disclosed that the strict enforcement exercise that has commenced in Ibadan is an implementation of a long-existing enactment by the state government on the Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law, which prescribes specific punishment for both the buyer and the seller of any goods or services on the streets.
Speaking further, Mrs. Adeleye also appealed to residents to ensure proper disposal of refuse in the State, as the Oyo State Government will not tolerate illegal disposal of refuse by residents.
She enjoined market leaders in the state to ensure members adhere strictly to the environmental laws, urging them to engage a government-approved Waste Management consultant, Mottainai Recycling Ltd.
It could be recalled that the ministry had earlier engaged traders in aggressive sensitization and awareness-raising about the government’s zero tolerance for street trading. In attendance were all stakeholders, including the Babaloja General of Oyo State and other market leaders.
Markets visited by the Permanent Secretary and officials of the Ministry include Beere Market, Oja-Oba, Idi-Arere, Oranyan, Molete, Eleyele, and Bodija International Market, amongst others.
![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?")
