![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 Oyo State Police Command has indicted 17 out of 59 students arrested in connection with the destruction of science laboratory equipment worth over N25 million at Christ Apostolic Church Grammar School, Oniyere, Ibadan.
The revelation was made during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Eleyele Police Headquarters, attended by the state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni (rtd.), and the Commissioner for Education, Salihu Adelabu, among others.
According to Adenola, the students, who were from Government Technical College, Orita Aperin, stormed the CAC Grammar School premises and caused extensive damage.
“On Thursday, last week, pupils of Government Technical College, Orita Aperin, went on the rampage as they invaded the premises of the CAC Grammar School, Orita-Aperin.
“During the attacks, several vehicles were destroyed while the science laboratories blocks with equipment worth several millions of naira were vandalized.
“Also, some people received machete cuts during the attacks. This, we found quite unacceptable. This situation was brought under control with the support of the local security and the authorities of the affected schools.
“I personally interviewed these children on Saturday, and the revelation was stunning. I was surprised at the level of decadence in the public schools in the state.
“That is why the police authorities summoned the stakeholders meeting to put an end to the gang violence which has become a recurring incident in the public schools,” Adenola stated.
Reacting to the development, Commissioner for Education Salihu Adelabu condemned the rising indiscipline in public schools, emphasizing that the government would no longer tolerate such behavior.
“The present administration is investing so much in the education sector. It is sad to note that the affected pupils do not appreciate the efforts.
“The parents have a role to play in the upbringing of their children. The failure of the parents is what we are witnessing today,” Adelabu said.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni, urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s actions.
![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")
