![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")
Three young men, all guests at a wedding ceremony that took place over the weekend at Isiala Mbano Council Area of Imo State, have been missing since last Sunday.
The young men identified as Alaefula Chimuru, Madu Promise, and Victor Chibuike did not return to their homes in Owerri after they left a wedding ceremony at Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.
Their disappearance sparked reactions on social media, with many raising concerns that they might have been abducted or arrested by the police.
Fortune Madu, brother to one of them told our correspondent on Wednesday that the families had made a statement to the police.
He said, “They left a wedding ceremony at Isiala Mbano on Sunday and didn’t get home. Up till now, we haven’t seen them. Their phone numbers are permanently switched off. We have sent them messages on their social media handles and no reply. We have reported to the police.”
An activist and journalist, Theodore Uba, also confirmed the development in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Owerri.
“This is to inform the general public that these three young men whose pictures appear below have been declared missing.
“The three young men with names; ALAEFULA CHIMURU COLLINS, MMADU PROMISE AND VICTOR CHIBUIKE who [are] based in Owerri, Imo State attended a wedding ceremony in Isiala Mbano LGA on Sunday 28th August 2022 with a grey colour Lexus RX 330, and have been unable to return back to their respective homes from the event”.
“[Efforts] to reach them through their mobile devices and social media handles proves abortive. None of their family members has been able to figure out their current location up till now”.
“However, we have launched a search for them and have also reported the matter to State CID Owerri Imo State for their swift intervention”.
“If you have any information regarding the sudden disappearance of these three young men or update about this ongoing investigation, please contact me or report to the nearest police station,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson for the Command, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to an inquiry concerning the incident.
![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")
