![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")
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, disclosed on Monday that 3,619 suspects were arrested between January and May.
The police chief also said 486 firearms and 4,072 rounds of ammunition of different calibres were recorded.
In a statement by the police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police chief disclosed this in a meeting with strategic police managers.
Leveraging on the need to bring Strategic Police Managers abreast of the policy thrust of the newly inaugurated President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, particularly the President’s directive on effective inter-agency collaboration for a synergized internal security architecture and addressing topical security issues in the country, the Inspector-General, Usman Baba, met with Senior Police Officers of the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General , Assistant Inspectors-General, and Commissioners at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters Abuja, on Monday, June 5, 2023.
During the conference, the IGP tasked the Strategic Police Managers to build on the quantum of achievements recorded within the months of January to May 2023, particularly the successful democratic transition of May 29th, 2023, and develop proactive mechanisms for effective control of prevailing and projected threats across the country, including the aftermath of the fuel subsidy removal with the emerging threat of industrial strike action, and to forestall any untoward acts from political and non-political actors. He stressed that all hands must be on deck to maintain the needed peace and stability of our democracy even as we prepare for Democracy Day celebrations on June 12, while all peaceful protests must be managed professionally.
Similarly, the IGP noted that within the review period, a total of 1,630 criminal cases were recorded, cutting across major offences such as terrorism, secessionism, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, and the proliferation of firearms. During various officers operations, 3,619 suspects were arrested, 486 firearms were recovered, and 4,072 rounds of ammunition of various calibres were recovered. A total of 316 kidnapped suspects were rescued unharmed.
The IGP observed that deserving officers will, in due course, be elevated on the basis of merit and vacancy, as is customary. He added that within the review period, 31,465 rank-and-file officers have been promoted to their next ranks, while thousands of inspectors due for promotion are currently attending departmental selection boards for promotion to the rank of Assistant Superintendents. Meanwhile, the IGP addressed the prevailing trend of criminalising civil matters by some police officers, noting that such professional infractions, despite repeated warnings, will attract severe disciplinary actions and sanctions, such that the burden of garnishee orders will rest solely on the individuals involved in such malpractices. He also charged supervising officers to caution officers under their command against unprofessionalism, extortion, etc. and to establish and maintain a Human Rights Desk at all Police Commands for seamless reportage of violations of fundamental rights by officers in order to address incidences of rights violations.
The Inspector-General of Police assures law-abiding citizens of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to a peaceful and serene civil space, even as the force continually sustains the framework for the salient crime-busting achievements vital to securing our great nation. He also stressed that the NPF will continually leverage the Federal Government’s support even as internal security dynamics are re-evaluated and strategies are adapted to ensure that the current downward trend in crime across the country is sustained.
![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")
