![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?")
Terrorists have reportedly released the remaining Christian worshippers abducted during a Sunday attack on churches in the Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack occurred when armed men stormed three churches in the village during worship services, firing randomly to instill panic before abducting congregants and leading them into the nearby woodlands.
It should be noted that at least 177 congregants were reportedly kidnapped during the coordinated assault. However, some 80 worshippers were alleged to have fled while being led into the jungle and eventually sought sanctuary in nearby settlements.
In a phone conversation with PUNCH Online on Thursday, Kurmin Wali Village Head Ishaku Dan’azumi confirmed the development, saying he received word early Tuesday morning that the abducted believers had been released.
“I got the information of their release this morning. They are currently with the government in Kaduna,” he said, adding that he could not provide further details at the moment.
Speaking on if ransom or motorcycles, allegedly demanded by the bandits, were provided before the release, Dan’azumi said he could not confirm, noting that he was preparing to travel to Kaduna to meet the victims.
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The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, Rev. Ma’aji Caleb, also confirmed the release on Thursday.
“Glory be to God, my people are out. We hope to connect with them today. This was through our prayers and the efforts of the government,” he said.
When asked if ransom was paid, the CAN chairman said he was not involved in any negotiations, stressing that the most important thing was that the worshippers had regained their freedom.
He also thanked the Kaduna State Government, noting that Governor Uba Sani had demonstrated commitment to protecting lives and property in the state.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the release on Wednesday night.
“I can confirm to you that the remaining worshippers have been released, but I cannot confirm the exact number,” according to a police source.
A community member in Kajuru, who also requested anonymity for security reasons, claimed empty buses and motorcycles were seen late Wednesday night driving into neighboring wilderness regions, reportedly transporting people out.
“I believe those were the motorcycles the bandits earlier demanded, which allegedly went missing during a military operation on their camp,” a source told me.
Following the attack, security officials reportedly initiated search-and-rescue operations in the area, while local authorities and community leaders worked to locate the abducted worshippers and provide assistance to impacted families.
![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?")
