![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 Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in response to a violent massacre that took lives on Tuesday.
In a statement released on Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin described the occurrence as “deeply painful and tragic” but assured that the offenders will be captured.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns the violent attack that occurred on Tuesday, 3rd February, 2026, in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, which has sadly resulted in the confirmed death of seventy-five persons.”
According to the police spokesman, the IGP has conveyed his profound sympathies to the victims’ families, as well as the government and people of Kwara State.
Egbetokun promised the public that the police will continue to protect lives and property.
“The IGP reassures the public that the Nigeria Police Force will continue to do everything necessary to guarantee the safety and security of all citizens,” Hundeyin stated.
He explained that the deployment of tactical, operational, and intelligence capabilities to Kaiama and nearby towns was intended to restore calm, reinforce security, and prevent future acts of violence.
The FPRO stated that the Force had initiated an extensive manhunt for the offenders and all individuals involved in the crime.
“Investigations are already underway, and all available resources have been mobilized to ensure that those responsible are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. The perpetrators will not escape the long arm of the law,” he added.
Hundeyin asked the public to remain calm and support ongoing security measures by sharing timely and relevant information.
He stated that such information might be transmitted to the nearest police station or via established police contact channels.
The attack comes amid escalating insecurity in North-Central Nigeria, where robbers and armed groups are mounting fatal attacks on rural villages.
Chronicle NG reports that the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, during a visit to the community, revealed that at least 75 residents were killed in a brutal attack on two villages for resisting extremists who sought to impose a “strange doctrine” on the area.
![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?")
