![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
The National Emergency Management Agency has said the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook identifies Yobe as one of 31 states with a high- risk of flooding.
The Director General NEMA, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, mentioned this at the inauguration of 2024 Effective Waste Management and Flood Mitigation Sensitisation Campaign on Tuesday in Damaturu, Yobe.
Umar, represented by NEMA’s Deputy Director Finance and Account, Mr Aminu Ringim, added that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had forecast that eight local government areas in the state were at risk of flooding.
She listed the local government areas as Bade, Jakusko, Yunusari, Gulani, Geidam, Potiskum, Borsari and Karasuwa.
“Recognising the urgency of the situation, NEMA conducted a Stakeholders’ Technical Meeting in April and an Emergency Coordination Forum in May.
“These meetings analysed the forecasts and designed a comprehensive communication strategy.
“This strategy involves disseminating early warning messages at the state, local government and community levels,’’ she said.
Umar commended Gov. Mai Mala Buni for taking proactive measures to mitigate the flood risks.
“While past floods have severely impacted Yobe State, I commend you for the proactive measures your government has taken to mitigate flood risks.
“Disaster management is everyone’s business; we must work together to safeguard vulnerable communities; protect vital infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted socio-economic activities in Yobe,” she said.
The Northeast Zonal Coordinator, NEMA, Mr Garba Sirajo, called on the general public to desist from the habit of improper waste disposal practices, particularly the act of discarding waste into our drainage channels.
“This irresponsible behavior not only leads to blockages and flooding but also poses a severe threat to public health, infrastructure and the environment,” he said.
Surajo added that clogging of drainage systems due to waste accumulation not only exacerbated the risk of flooding but also served as a breeding ground for diseases, putting the well-being of communities at grave risk.
The Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Muhammed Goje, said Yobe had commenced sensitisation campaigns to the highlighted local government areas.
Goje, represented by Muhammed Jalo, said the agency had directed the Director, Dams and Reservoir to keep monitoring the level and issue an early warning for the provision of evacuation sites, among other measures.
NAN.
![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 "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")
