US Names 24 Nigerians For Deportation Over Criminal Offences

The United States (US) has named 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over various criminal offences as the Donald Trump administration continues its crackdown on immigrants targeted for enforcement action.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published their names and photographs, alongside details of the offences associated with their arrests and the locations where authorities apprehended them.

The listed offences include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery and cruelty towards a child.

In its announcement, DHS said the publication highlights non-US citizens with criminal records arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the department stated.

It added that ICE officers were carrying out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation pledge, with enforcement efforts initially focusing on people the administration considers high-priority targets.

“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations – starting with the worst of the worst – including the illegal aliens you see here,” DHS said.

Among those named, Emmanuel Omowaiye was arrested in Richmond, Texas, over mail fraud, while Laurene Onwuka was apprehended in Chantilly, Virginia, over fraud and impersonation.

Olusegun Shonekan, arrested in Newark, New Jersey, was listed over wire fraud. Olusegun Olaseni, apprehended in Greencastle, Indiana, was linked to the sale of amphetamines, while Peter Ude was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, over wire fraud.

Newton Jemide, arrested at Fort Dix, New Jersey, was listed over wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud. Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji were both arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi, over money laundering.

The list also includes Olasoji Akinbode, arrested in Kearny, New Jersey, over fraud and impersonation, and Oluwatosin Afolabi, apprehended in Conroe, Texas, over fraud.

Alameen Adetunji Tokosi was arrested in Chicago, Illinois, over drug possession, while Joshua Ipoade was apprehended in Atlanta over wire fraud.

Michael Orji, arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin, was listed over several offences, including a weapons-related offence, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering. Ahmadu Apooyin was arrested in Baltimore, Maryland, over a drug-related offence.

Other Nigerians on the list include Onomen Uduebor, arrested in Seattle, Washington, over identity theft; Charles Ochi, apprehended in White Deer, Pennsylvania, over money laundering; and Daniel Eta, arrested in the same location over wire fraud.

Ifeanyi Ibennah was arrested in Tampa, Florida, over cruelty towards a child. Kazeem Runsewe, apprehended in Thomson, Illinois, and Fatiu Lawal, arrested in Lompoc, California, were listed over wire fraud.

Justin Akubueze was arrested in Orem, Utah, over money laundering, while Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo was apprehended in Orlando, Florida, over larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property.

The remaining two Nigerians are Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi, arrested in Alden, New York, over assault, and Bright Eigbedion, apprehended in Lompoc, California, over money laundering.

DHS said the publication forms part of the US government’s wider immigration enforcement campaign, with ICE responsible for arrests and related enforcement operations across the country.

The announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s efforts to remove non-citizens who fall within its immigration enforcement priorities.

However, the information released by DHS does not establish that all 24 Nigerians have completed deportation proceedings or have left the United States. Their inclusion on the list should not, on its own, be taken as confirmation that authorities have deported them.