![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 Federal Fire Service (FFS) has opened its portal for suitably qualified candidates to be recruited to fill existing vacancies in different positions.
FFS, in a newspaper advertisement, said applications must be submitted online within six (6) weeks, as of Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) added that there are two categories, inspectorate cadre and assistant cadre, for interested and qualified applicants.
“Inspector of Fire (IF) CONPASS 07 (Nursing): Applicants must be Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Midwives (RM), or Registered Nurses/Midwives (RNIM) obtained from recognized institutions,” FFS stated.
“Assistant Inspector of Fire (AIF), CONPASS 06: Applicants must be holders of NCE or National Diploma (ND) in any related field, obtained from any recognized Polytechnic/Institution.
“Fire Assistant II (FA II) CONPASS 04: Applicants must be holders of GCE Ordinary Level, SSCE/NECO, or other equivalents with a maximum of five (5) credits in not more than two sittings, which should include English and Mathematics.
“Fire Assistant III (FAIII), Appliance Driver (Specialist), CONPASS 03: Applicants must be holders of GCE Ordinary Level, SSCE/NECO, or their equivalents with a minimum of five (5) credits in not more than two sittings, which should include at least English and Mathematics. Applicants with a Class E driver’s licence have an added advantage.”
FFS added that applications should be done online. Candidates are expected to log on to the portal, to fill out and submit the application form online.
Candidates have also been advised to print out the referee forms, which must be duly completed for submission during the screening exercise.
According to FFS, candidates should note that multiple applications will automatically be disqualified.
As for the statutory requirements for the recruitment, applicants must be Nigerians by birth and possess the requisite qualifications.
Any certificate or qualification not presented and accepted at the recruitment centre shall not be accepted after the recruitment, FFS said.
Applicants must be fit and present certificates of medical fitness from government-recognized hospitals; they must be of good character; and they must not have been convicted of any criminal offences.
FFS said applicants must not be members of any secret society, cult, drug addict, etc., and must not have been involved in any financial embarrassment.
“Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, with a height of not less than 1.65m for males and 1.60m for females; the chest measurement must not be less than 0.87 m for men, while computer literacy will be an added advantage.”
![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?")
