The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over alleged involvement in various criminal offences, as the Donald Trump administration intensifies its deportation campaign.
The Nigerians were arrested in different locations across the United States by officers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to information published by DHS.
The offences listed against them include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons offences and cruelty towards a child.
Announcing the arrests, DHS said the publication was intended to draw attention to foreign nationals with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the department said.
It added that its officers were implementing President Donald Trump’s pledge to carry out mass deportations, beginning with individuals considered priorities for immigration enforcement.
“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,” the statement added.
Full List of 24 Nigerians Named by US Authorities
The individuals identified by DHS, alongside the offences listed against them and their arrest locations, are:
- Emmanuel Omowaiye — Mail fraud; Richmond, Texas.
- Laurene Onwuka — Fraud and impersonation; Chantilly, Virginia.
- Olusegun Shonekan — Wire fraud; Newark, New Jersey.
- Olusegun Olaseni — Amphetamine sale; Greencastle, Indiana.
- Peter Ude — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
- Newton Jemide — Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; Fort Dix, New Jersey.
- Shedrack Umukoro — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Olasoji Akinbode — Fraud and impersonation; Kearny, New Jersey.
- Oluwatosin Afolabi — Fraud; Conroe, Texas.
- Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — Drug possession; Chicago, Illinois.
- Joshua Ipoade — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
- Michael Orji — Weapons offence, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; Oxford, Wisconsin.
- Ahmadu Apooyin — Drug-related offence; Baltimore, Maryland.
- Teslim Kiriji — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Onomen Uduebor — Identity theft; Seattle, Washington.
- Charles Ochi — Money laundering; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Daniel Eta — Wire fraud; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Ifeanyi Ibennah — Cruelty towards a child; Tampa, Florida.
- Kazeem Runsewe — Wire fraud; Thomson, Illinois.
- Fatiu Lawal — Wire fraud; Lompoc, California.
- Justin Akubueze — Money laundering; Orem, Utah.
- Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; Orlando, Florida.
- Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — Assault; Alden, New York.
- Bright Eigbedion — Money laundering; Lompoc, California.
US Intensifies Immigration Enforcement
The announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s broader efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement and remove non-US citizens identified as priorities for deportation.
ICE is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and carrying out arrests as part of the federal government’s efforts to detain and remove eligible foreign nationals from the country.
However, the DHS announcement did not provide detailed information about the immigration proceedings or final deportation status of each Nigerian named in the publication.
Consequently, their inclusion on the list does not, by itself, establish that they have been deported or that every listed offence resulted in a criminal conviction.
The development comes as the US government continues to pursue its immigration enforcement agenda, with foreign nationals facing possible removal depending on their individual cases and applicable immigration laws.
