![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")
Nigerians have criticised Yusuf Magaji Bichi, former Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), over his handling of the affairs of the service.
President Bola TInubu on Monday approved the appointment of Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi as the new Director-General of the DSS.
This was announced in a statement signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity.
“The new DSS Director-General, Mr. Adeola Ajayi, rose through the ranks to attain his current post of Assistant Director-General of the Service. He had, at various times, served as State Director in Bauchi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Kogi,” the statement partly reads.
The news of the end of Bichi’s reign as the head of the Service generated widespread celebration from Nigerians and DSS personnel who described the outgoing DSS boss as a “dictator.”
Bichi, who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on the 14th of September, was a core Secret Service operative who succeeded the acting DG Mathew Seiyafa, who was appointed after the sacking of Lawal Daura by acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
Reacting to the news of Bichi’s removal as DSS boss, Nigerians on social media alleged that he “undermined the professionalism within the DSS.”
In his reaction, Salihu Umar said, The “man completely undermined the professionalism within the DSS. We never had to know the wives of previous DGs like Gadzama, Ekpeyong, or Daura, but Bichi, unfortunately, stands out as the most regrettable DG/DSS in history.
“Under his watch, we witnessed unprecedented incursions into Nigerian courts, misuse of office to suppress journalism, and blatant assaults on free speech.
“His family members were irresponsibly empowered to openly abuse power. Dissenting voices faced harassment, and the rule of law was disregarded on multiple fronts.
“As citizens, we are the recipients of these services, and it is our duty to provide unbiased feedback and appraise leadership, at various levels, for better service delivery.”
He added that “Bichi overstayed his tenure. Thankfully, Nigeria endured and moved past his rogue stewardship at the DSS. Ajayi must avoid following in Bichi’s footsteps.”
Chronicle NG highlights some of the reactions of Nigerians to the news of his removal as DSS chief.
Emma IK Umeh, “My guys in DSS are seriously celebrating the removal of Bichi. Bichi abused the DSS, and his son and wife abused the DSS staff. Nepotism was the order of the day. This man destroyed every aspect of professionalism.”
Nze Maddox, “His removal is sure a good call, which is clearly evident by the celebration of the people that worked closely with him. I hope they get someone better who obeys the rule of law. But knowing Nigeria too well, one must be careful not to jump to conclusions. The celebration by these folks could be a result of their inability to steal due to the removed chief policies.”
Nji D’ Shady, “His son (the footballer) is a spoilt brat. He uses sirens on his convoy. One day he posted such a video, so I questioned why he’d do such even though he’s not a government appointee. He insulted me, and I insulted him back. Then I blocked him before I became a target. Indeed, power is transient.”
M.S. ABA, “Good. The man’s family has been living lavishly and beyond their means, particularly his son. As the head of the DSS, his family’s matters should not be in the public eye. When it comes to diversity and inclusion, Buhari and Tinubu are prime examples of nepotism.”
Idris, “80% of my friends in DSS are celebrating the removal of this clown. I am from Kano State; in fact, we share the same local government, but with the information gathered, this man is hypocritical. The personal are underpaid, and some privileges are limited. Weldon PBAT for removing him.”
Prince Femi Abdul Samad, “Indeed, this is the beginning of a new dawn of intelligence-driven operations to improve security for Nigerians and the professionalism and welfare of all DSS operatives. Bichi was a disaster and the most corrupt since 1999.”
Bello Aminu, “Buchi and the former CJN are lucky to have served in a rich country like Nigeria. Had it been it was a country where justice and peace reign, they would have been jailed after thorough interrogation.”
Osita Okolo, “Exactly on point. Buchi and his ‘Zo muje’ boys bastardised the DSS. At some point, boys were roaming about like area boys looking for who to abduct just to make money.”
Faisal Tukur Mamu, “I’m celebrating the removal of the dictator too over here; he has turned the agency into a lawless agency that violates hundreds of human rights daily. Criminals like him will surely get the justice they deserve, Insha Allah.”
Abdullahi Muhammad, “He did nothing to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians; imagine how bandits are on Tiktok.”
Aminu, “His wife really abused DSS. I can’t forget her shameless action at Kano airport. She humiliated the current government of Kano; stopped him from travelling on the same commercial flight with her.”
Ezeala Chinedu: “He is a terrorist imported from no where.”
Adegunwa Ogunleye, “DSS officers, including SNR officers, are tired of Bichi and his nepotism in the service. Good riddance to bad rubbish.”
![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")
