The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration authorities in different parts of the country over alleged criminal offences.
The disclosure comes as the administration of President Donald Trump continues its immigration enforcement operations targeting non-US citizens considered priorities for removal.
According to information released by DHS, the individuals were apprehended by officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in several states.
The alleged offences associated with their cases include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and child cruelty.
The department said the publication was intended to draw attention to foreign nationals with criminal records who had been arrested by immigration authorities.
However, the announcement did not provide a detailed update on the immigration proceedings or final deportation status of each individual. Being named in the release does not, by itself, confirm that a person has already been deported.
Full List of 24 Nigerians Named by US Authorities
The following are the names of the individuals, the alleged offences listed against them and their reported arrest locations, according to information published by DHS.
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 — Alleged offences involving weapons violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, falsely claiming US 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 — Alleged 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 — Theft, 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 Continues Immigration Enforcement Operations
The publication of the names forms part of the US government’s broader effort to publicise immigration arrests and pursue the removal of certain non-citizens.
DHS has presented the operation as part of its commitment to enforcing immigration laws, particularly in cases involving individuals accused of criminal activity.
Nevertheless, the department’s announcement did not specify when the 24 Nigerians would be removed from the country or whether all their immigration cases had reached a final decision.
The status of each case may depend on the applicable immigration procedures and any outstanding legal processes.
The development highlights the continuing impact of US immigration enforcement on Nigerians living in the country and the importance of distinguishing between an arrest, an immigration removal order and a completed deportation.
