The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration authorities over various alleged criminal offences, including fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault and child cruelty.
The disclosure forms part of the ongoing immigration enforcement campaign under President Donald Trump’s administration, with officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carrying out arrests in different parts of the country.
According to DHS, the publication identifies non-US citizens arrested by ICE who fall within the government’s immigration enforcement priorities. The department described the individuals as among the “worst of the worst” criminal non-citizens.
The agency also stated that the administration’s deportation drive would prioritise individuals it considers to be high-priority targets for immigration enforcement.
FULL LIST OF THE 24 NIGERIANS AND THE OFFENCES REPORTED
The list released by US authorities identifies the individuals, the offences associated with their cases and the locations where they were arrested.
- Emmanuel Omowaiye — Mail fraud; arrested in Richmond, Texas.
- Laurene Onwuka — Fraud and impersonation; arrested in Chantilly, Virginia.
- Olusegun Shonekan — Wire fraud; arrested in Newark, New Jersey.
- Olusegun Olaseni — Sale of amphetamine; arrested in Greencastle, Indiana.
- Peter Ude — Wire fraud; arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Newton Jemide — Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; arrested in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
- Shedrack Umukoro — Money laundering; arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Olasoji Akinbode — Fraud and impersonation; arrested in Kearny, New Jersey.
- Oluwatosin Afolabi — Fraud; arrested in Conroe, Texas.
- Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — Drug possession; arrested in Chicago, Illinois.
- Joshua Ipoade — Wire fraud; arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Michael Orji — Weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin.
- Ahmadu Apooyin — Drug-related offence; arrested in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Teslim Kiriji — Money laundering; arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Onomen Uduebor — Identity theft; arrested in Seattle, Washington.
- Charles Ochi — Money laundering; arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Daniel Eta — Wire fraud; arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Ifeanyi Ibennah — Child cruelty; arrested in Tampa, Florida.
- Kazeem Runsewe — Wire fraud; arrested in Thomson, Illinois.
- Fatiu Lawal — Wire fraud; arrested in Lompoc, California.
- Justin Akubueze — Money laundering; arrested in Orem, Utah.
- Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; arrested in Orlando, Florida.
- Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — Assault; arrested in Alden, New York.
- Bright Eigbedion — Money laundering; arrested in Lompoc, California.
US INTENSIFIES IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
The announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s wider efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement and remove non-US citizens identified as priorities under its policies.
ICE continues to conduct enforcement operations across the country, while DHS publishes information about selected individuals arrested by immigration authorities.
However, the release of the list does not establish that all 24 Nigerians have already been deported. The announcement also does not provide the final immigration status of each person or establish that every offence listed resulted in a criminal conviction.
Further details about individual cases and their respective immigration proceedings were not included in the published report.
