![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")
Virgil van Dijk has been confirmed as the new captain of Liverpool FC, with Trent Alexander-Arnold appointed as vice captain, the club said on its official website.
The centre-back, who also holds the same role for his country, the Netherlands, will take over the full-time occupancy of the armband following the departure of Jordan Henderson from the Reds.
In addition, the club can announce Alexander-Arnold as deputy captain, taking over the responsibility from James Milner.
Van Dijk told Liverpool official website in Singapore: “[It’s] a really proud day for me, for my wife, for my kids, for my family. It’s been a special feeling, and I can’t really describe it at this point. But it’s something that I’m really, really proud of.
“Obviously I’m captain of Holland; that was already such a huge honour and a proud moment as well. But to also be the captain of Liverpool Football Club is something that I can’t describe at this point.
“It’s just something that makes me very proud, and I will do everything in my power and what I can to make everyone proud and happy with me and the football club.”
Van Dijk has clocked up 222 appearances for Liverpool since moving to Anfield from Southampton in January 2018.
During that time, he has collected seven winner’s medals as he helped the Reds lift the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the FA Community Shield.
And, with 2023–24 edging closer as Liverpool’s pre-season preparations continue, Van Dijk outlined a collective desire to bounce back after a disappoint ofing campaign last time out.
“It has been a very disappointing year,” said Van Dijk. “It was actually not a bad run-in. Obviously, in the end, we didn’t achieve anything we hoped to achieve, and that was very disappointing.
“Then you’re going on a very short summer holiday and you reflect on the season you’ve had, personally and as a team, and it hurts. It hurts a lot. You have pride as a human being, and you feel like you could have done a lot better and more consistently.
