The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration officers for alleged criminal offences, as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its immigration enforcement campaign.
The department said the arrests were made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers across multiple states. The list identifies each individual, the alleged offence, and the location of arrest.
Among those named, the majority face allegations related to financial crimes.
Emmanuel Omowaiye was arrested in Richmond, Texas, for alleged mail fraud, while Laurene Onwuka and Olasoji Akinbode were arrested in Virginia and New Jersey respectively for alleged fraud and impersonation.
Olusegun Shonekan, Peter Ude, Newton Jemide, Joshua Ipoade, Daniel Eta, Kazeem Runsewe and Fatiu Lawal were listed for alleged wire fraud. Jemide’s case also includes conspiracy and mail fraud.
Six others were listed for alleged money laundering, including Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji, both arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Charles Ochi in White Deer, Pennsylvania, Justin Akubueze in Orem, Utah, and Bright Eigbedion in Lompoc, California.
Other offences include drug possession and sale, identity theft, larceny and forgery, assault, and cruelty towards a child.
One individual, Michael Orji, arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin, was listed with multiple allegations including weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship claim and money laundering.
In a statement accompanying the list, DHS said ICE was “fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations – starting with the worst of the worst.”
DHS said the publication was part of its transparency and enforcement communications. Legal experts cautioned that inclusion on the list does not amount to a conviction or confirmation of a final deportation order, as cases remain subject to immigration court proceedings and appeals.
The latest list follows a similar publication in July in which 124 Nigerian nationals were named.
ICE did not immediately provide additional details on the immigration status or court dates for those listed.