The Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR) has commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for approving a ₦1 million support package for each of the 41 Edo indigenes evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Executive Director, Comrade Solomon Okoduwa, the organisation described the governor’s intervention as “governance with a human face” and praised his leadership on migration, reintegration, security and human dignity.

IYAMIDR recalled that on May 4, 2026, it had urged the Federal Government and state governments to prepare for the return of Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa by establishing structured reintegration programmes to support them.

The organisation said it was encouraged that the Edo State Government had translated those recommendations into action.

According to the statement, Governor Okpebholo, while receiving the returnees at the Government House in Benin City, announced a ₦1 million grant for each returnee to assist with accommodation and also pledged soft loans to enable them to establish businesses and rebuild their livelihoods.

The group noted that the returnees recounted losing their husbands, businesses, vehicles and other valuables during the attacks but expressed appreciation for the governor’s intervention. It added that the governor assured them that Edo State remained a safe place to live and encouraged them to view their return as a fresh beginning.

IYAMIDR praised the financial support, the proposed livelihood assistance and the public reception accorded the returnees, saying the measures restored their dignity and reinforced their sense of belonging.

The organisation also commended the governor’s efforts to tackle cultism and kidnapping in Edo State, describing his approach as one attracting national and international attention.

It urged the Federal Government and other state governors to emulate Edo State by establishing reintegration desks, providing immediate housing and livelihood support for returnees, and partnering with relevant agencies and civil society organisations to coordinate reintegration programmes.

IYAMIDR reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Edo State Government, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders to provide migration awareness, counselling and reintegration support for returnees.

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.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released an updated list of 124 Nigerians slated for deportation as part of its ongoing immigration enforcement efforts.

According to the DHS, those listed have been placed on what the agency describes as its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, which includes non-U.S. citizens convicted of serious criminal offences.

The department has made public the names and photographs of the affected individuals. However, it has not disclosed the specific crimes for which they were convicted or provided a timeline for when the deportations will be carried out.

DHS officials said the deportations are part of the agency’s broader efforts to enforce U.S. immigration laws and remove non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from the country.

Despite confirming that all those on the list have criminal convictions, the department declined to release further details regarding the offences or the deportation schedule.