The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over various alleged criminal offences as the administration of President Donald Trump intensifies its immigration enforcement operations.
The individuals were arrested by officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in different locations across the country, according to information published by DHS.
The offences listed against them include wire and mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, weapons violations, assault, forgery, impersonation, larceny and cruelty towards a child.
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 and offences
The list published by DHS identifies the 24 Nigerian nationals, the offences associated with their cases and the locations where they were arrested.
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
US intensifies immigration enforcement
DHS said the publication forms part of the US government’s broader immigration enforcement campaign, with ICE carrying out arrests across the country.
The announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s continued efforts to remove non-citizens identified as priorities under its immigration enforcement policy.
However, the information released by DHS does not provide detailed information about the final immigration status or deportation proceedings of each individual.
Their inclusion on the list does not, by itself, confirm that they have already been deported. Similarly, the offences listed should be understood as allegations or case descriptions reported by the US authorities and should not automatically be taken as proof of conviction in every case.
