![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")
Abia State police have detained three suspects in the killing of an elderly couple who were reportedly discovered dead in their flat at Etiti-ulo in Bende LG of Abia State.
This was revealed in a press statement made available to our correspondent on Friday by the Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Maureen Chinaka.
According to reports, the Abia State Police Command confirmed the beheading of Mr. Jacob Udo, and his wife, Mrs. Comfort Udo, in Bende Local Government.
According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended following an inquiry begun after an assessment of the crime site and are being kept for further questioning at the state criminal inquiry department in Umuahia.
The statement reads, “On the 2/10/2024, we received a report at Bende Divisional Headquarters that same date at about 0830hrs, Mr Jacob Udo ‘M’ 78 yrs old and Mrs Dorcas Jacob ‘F’ 73 yrs old, of Ndiwo Itumbuzo Bende LGA Abia State but domiciled at Etiti-ulo in Bende LGA of the same state, were found lying lifeless in a pool of blood in their compound at the aforementioned address. It was further discovered that several properties were carted away from the house.
“Upon this report, the crime scene was visited, and corpses were deposited at the mortuary for autopsy. Three (3) suspects were arrested in connection with the heinous crime and are currently under interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Umuahia.”
Furthermore, the statement revealed that the Abia State Command Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, expressed his concerns over the incident, as he promised a thorough investigation into the incident.
It added, “The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, expresses his deep concern over the unfortunate incident and appeals to the good people of Abia State to remain calm and assures them that the mystery behind this criminal act will be unravelled to ensure prompt dispensation of justice.”
![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")
