USA unveils 124 Nigerians penciled for deportation

The United States has released an updated list of 124 Nigerians slated for deportation as part of its intensified immigration enforcement campaign targeting non-citizens convicted of crimes.

The United States has released an updated list of 124 Nigerians slated for deportation as part of its intensified immigration enforcement campaign targeting non-citizens convicted of crimes.

The list was published on Wednesday in a statement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which said those named had been placed on what it described as its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register.

According to the DHS, the individuals were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and have been convicted of serious offences. However, the department did not disclose the specific crimes committed by each individual or provide a timeline for when the deportations would begin.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement said.

It added: “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.”

Among the Nigerians listed are Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Mkpouto Etukudoh, Marcus Unigwe, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau and Oriyomi Aloba.

Others include Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, Joseph Ogbara, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi and Omotayo Akinto.

The list also includes Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru, Henry Idiagbonya, Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba and Akeem Adeleke.

Other Nigerians named are Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Abiemwense Obanor, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Abimbola Esan, Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Adetunji Olofinlade, Abdul Akinsanya, Elizabeth Adeshewo, Dennis Ofuoma, Quazeem Adeyinka, Ifeanyi Okoro, Oluwaseun Kassim, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo, Abraham Ola Osoko, Oluchi Jennifer and Chibuzo Nwaonu.

The updated deportation list forms part of the immigration enforcement measures introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump following his return to office on January 20, 2025.

On his first day back in office, Trump signed a series of executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, directing federal agencies to strengthen border security and accelerate the removal of undocumented migrants.

One of the executive orders, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, instructed immigration authorities to prioritise the arrest and deportation of removable migrants, particularly those considered threats to public safety and national security.

The DHS said the administration was delivering on Trump’s campaign promise to carry out mass deportations, beginning with individuals it described as the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders. It added that ICE officers had been directed to intensify enforcement operations nationwide against non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also defended the policy, saying the administration remains committed to enforcing immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records in line with President Trump’s immigration agenda.

Official U.S. immigration data indicate that Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed crackdown began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, reflecting the administration’s continued focus on migrants from Latin America.

The United States has also expanded deportation flights to countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean as immigration enforcement operations continue.

Nigeria has also come under increased scrutiny by the Trump administration. In June, Washington imposed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening.

If you’d like, I can also rewrite this in a more concise newspaper style (600–700 words) with a stronger lead and without listing all 124 names in the body.