![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")
Nigerian troops have continued sustained attacks on bandits in Zamfara and Katsina states killing many and injuring others as they curb insecurity in the country.
Providing update on the exploits of Nigerian troops, Major General John Enenche, Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters said some bandits fled with gunshot wounds.
“In continuation of aggressive clearance operation, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji under Operation Accord have continued to record significant successes against bandits and criminal elements.
He said troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI, on 26 June foiled armed bandits attack at Mara Zamfarawa village in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State. “In the process six bandits were killed while several others escaped with gun shots wounds,” he said.
Enenche said similarly, on 27 June, following aggressive patrol and intelligence reports by troops at Dunya village in Danmusa LGA, they successfully arrested suspected bandits informers/collaborators.
The suspects are currently being interrogated and profiled for further action.
In a related development, troops conducted cordon and search operations at Mara Zamfarawa and Birchi Malamawa villages in Danmusa LGA.
“In the process several bandits escaped with gun shots wounds. Troops recovered 4 motorcycles.
“In the same vein, troops on clearance operation at Maidabino town arrested 6 bandits. Troops recovered 1 fabricated AK 47 rifle and 29 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition as well as cutlasses and charms.
In a related development, on 27 June, following intelligence reports about bandits action at Kurubka forest, troops immediately mobilized to the area.
In the process two bandits were killed during a shoot out. Also, following credible information about bandits hideouts at Rambadawa forest few kilometers ahead of Kodamyo village in Sabon Birni LGA of Zamfara state, troops immediately mobilized to the area.
In the process three armed bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gun shots wounds. 1 locally made gun was recovered.
Furthermore, on 27 June, following credible intelligence about a kidnap incident at Yar Galadima and Mashanyin Zaki villages in Dansadau by bandits on four motorcycles, troops swiftly moved to the area and successfully rescued two kidnapped victims.
He noted that, “A Volkswagen Golf car with registration number MRR 47 XA was also recovered. Troops further dominated the area as effort to rescue other kidnapped victims have been intensified.”
In another development, still on 27 June, based on credible intelligence, troops embarked on clearance operation along bandits water point at the fringes of the mountain between Gummi and Tambuwal LGAs of Sokoto State.
The successful operation led to the neutralization of one bandit and recovery of five cell phones, cutlasses, some quantities of Indian hemp and sixty thousand naira.
The High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria congratulated the gallant troops for their dexterity and professionalism and encourages them to remain resolute in curtailing the activities of armed bandits in the country.
![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")
