US to deport fresh set of Nigerians over alleged criminal offences

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has named 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over alleged criminal offences, as the country intensifies its deportation campaign.

The department published the names and photographs of the Nigerians, who were reportedly apprehended by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in different locations across the country.

The alleged offences range from wire and mail fraud to money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery and cruelty towards a child.

In a statement, DHS said the publication was intended to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records who had been arrested by immigration enforcement officers.

“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 – including the illegal aliens you see here.”

According to the information released by the department, the 24 Nigerians were arrested in various cities and detention locations across the United States.

Those named include Emmanuel Omowaiye, arrested in Richmond, Texas, over alleged mail fraud; Laurene Onwuka, apprehended in Chantilly, Virginia, over alleged fraud and impersonation; Olusegun Shonekan, arrested in Newark, New Jersey, over alleged wire fraud; and Olusegun Olaseni, apprehended in Greencastle, Indiana, over an alleged amphetamine sale offence.

Others are Peter Ude, arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, over alleged wire fraud; Newton Jemide, apprehended at Fort Dix, New Jersey, over alleged wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; Shedrack Umukoro, arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi, over alleged money laundering; and Olasoji Akinbode, apprehended in Kearny, New Jersey, over alleged fraud and impersonation.

The list also includes Oluwatosin Afolabi, arrested in Conroe, Texas, over alleged fraud; Alameen Adetunji Tokosi, apprehended in Chicago, Illinois, over alleged drug possession; and Joshua Ipoade, arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, over alleged wire fraud.

Michael Orji, arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin, faces listed allegations involving weapons offences, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering. Ahmadu Apooyin was apprehended in Baltimore, Maryland, over a drug-related offence, while Teslim Kiriji was arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi, over alleged money laundering.

Also named were Onomen Uduebor, arrested in Seattle, Washington, over alleged identity theft; Charles Ochi and Daniel Eta, both apprehended in White Deer, Pennsylvania, over alleged money laundering and wire fraud, respectively.

The remaining Nigerians are Ifeanyi Ibennah, arrested in Tampa, Florida, over alleged cruelty towards a child; Kazeem Runsewe, apprehended in Thomson, Illinois, over alleged wire fraud; Fatiu Lawal, arrested in Lompoc, California, over alleged wire fraud; and Justin Akubueze, apprehended in Orem, Utah, over alleged money laundering.

Others are Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo, arrested in Orlando, Florida, over alleged larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi, apprehended in Alden, New York, over an alleged assault offence; and Bright Eigbedion, arrested in Lompoc, California, over alleged money laundering.

DHS said the arrests formed part of the US government’s broader immigration enforcement campaign, with ICE responsible for apprehending individuals across the country.

The department’s announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s drive to expand deportations, with immigration authorities prioritising individuals they identify as having criminal records.

The publication of the names and alleged offences does not, by itself, establish the legal status or final outcome of each individual’s case, nor does it confirm that all 24 Nigerians have received deportation orders or are scheduled for immediate removal.