The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities in connection with various criminal offences, as the country continues its deportation operations.
The individuals were arrested in different parts of the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to information released by DHS.
The offences listed against them range from wire and mail fraud to money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery and cruelty towards a child.
In a statement announcing the arrests, DHS said the publication was intended to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the department 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.”
Full list of 24 Nigerians named by US authorities
The list released by DHS identifies the Nigerian nationals, the offences associated with their arrests and the locations where they were apprehended.
1. Emmanuel Omowaiye
- Offence: Mail fraud
- Arrest location: Richmond, Texas
2. Laurene Onwuka
- Offences: Fraud and impersonation
- Arrest location: Chantilly, Virginia
3. Olusegun Shonekan
- Offence: Wire fraud
- Arrest location: Newark, New Jersey
4. Olusegun Olaseni
- Offence: Amphetamine sale
- Arrest location: Greencastle, Indiana
5. Peter Ude
- Offence: Wire fraud
- Arrest location: Atlanta, Georgia
6. Newton Jemide
- Offences: Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud
- Arrest location: Fort Dix, New Jersey
7. Shedrack Umukoro
- Offence: Money laundering
- Arrest location: Yazoo City, Mississippi
8. Olasoji Akinbode
- Offences: Fraud and impersonation
- Arrest location: Kearny, New Jersey
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi
- Offence: Fraud
- Arrest location: Conroe, Texas
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi
- Offence: Drug possession
- Arrest location: Chicago, Illinois
11. Joshua Ipoade
- Offence: Wire fraud
- Arrest location: Atlanta, Georgia
12. Michael Orji
- Offences: Weapons offence, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering
- Arrest location: Oxford, Wisconsin
13. Ahmadu Apooyin
- Offence: Drug-related offence
- Arrest location: Baltimore, Maryland
14. Teslim Kiriji
- Offence: Money laundering
- Arrest location: Yazoo City, Mississippi
15. Onomen Uduebor
- Offence: Identity theft
- Arrest location: Seattle, Washington
16. Charles Ochi
- Offence: Money laundering
- Arrest location: White Deer, Pennsylvania
17. Daniel Eta
- Offence: Wire fraud
- Arrest location: White Deer, Pennsylvania
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah
- Offence: Cruelty towards a child
- Arrest location: Tampa, Florida
19. Kazeem Runsewe
- Offence: Wire fraud
- Arrest location: Thomson, Illinois
20. Fatiu Lawal
- Offence: Wire fraud
- Arrest location: Lompoc, California
21. Justin Akubueze
- Offence: Money laundering
- Arrest location: Orem, Utah
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo
- Offences: Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property
- Arrest location: Orlando, Florida
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi
- Offence: Assault
- Arrest location: Alden, New York
24. Bright Eigbedion
- Offence: Money laundering
- Arrest location: Lompoc, California
DHS said the publication was part of the government’s wider immigration enforcement campaign, with ICE responsible for carrying out arrests across the country.
The announcement comes amid continued efforts by the US administration to remove non-citizens considered priorities for immigration enforcement.
However, the DHS announcement does not provide detailed information about the final immigration status or deportation proceedings of each individual. Being named on the list should therefore not, by itself, be taken as confirmation that a person has already been deported.
