Nigerian Navy dealt heavy blows to some gunmen on Saturday in Anambra State as they neutralised these criminal elements at Navy Junction, Awkuzu junction of the state.
The gunmen who arrived in a red Toyota Highlander SUV, with registration number NSH 248 AE, according to a video recording of the incident, were all allegedly killed in the gun duel.
The video shows the interior of the SUV and blood spattered, indicating that all the occupants were shot, as depicted by the blood clots on the foot mats.
The video equally shows the Naval officers inspecting the car, just as one of the narrators displayed the head wear of the occupants with the inscription, “vigilante” and a red knotted bandana, believed to be amulet.
A source in the area, who claimed he witnessed the incident, alleged that the gunmen came as usual to attack the Naval Officers on duty, but they were overpowered by the gallant officers.
According to the source, “we give God the glory. Our Nigerian Navy has done a marvelous work to save us from this wicked people today.
“The gunmen started shooting sporadically to scare people in the area away to enable them carry out their devilish act, but as God may have it, they were neutralised and shot by the officers.
“We are happy with the development. It is a lesson for anyone planning such thing again.
“We call on the state governor, Willie Obiano, to as a matter of urgency, double equip them, if possible, reward the officers to motivate them,” the source pleaded.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, when contacted, said his was yet to receive the information, but promised to call back, as soon as he got the details.
![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")
