The United States Department of Homeland Security has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over various criminal offences. This comes as the country intensifies its deportation campaign.
According to Vanguard, citing information released by DHS on Sunday, October 11, the individuals were apprehended by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement across several states.
The offences associated with the individuals include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, identity theft, drug-related crimes, assault, forgery and cruelty towards a child.
In its statement, DHS said it was “highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens” arrested by immigration enforcement officers.
The department explained that the arrests formed part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration enforcement campaign.
It added that immigration authorities were carrying out deportations, “starting with the worst of the worst.”
US identifies Nigerians linked to various offences
Among those named were Emmanuel Omowaiye, linked to mail fraud in Richmond, Texas. Likewise, Laurene Onwuka was associated with fraud and impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia.
Olusegun Shonekan was listed in connection with wire fraud in Newark, New Jersey. Meanwhile, Peter Ude was identified over a similar offence in Atlanta, Georgia.
The department also named Newton Jemide, whose listed offences include wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud in New Jersey.
Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji were linked to money laundering in Mississippi. In addition, Olasoji Akinbode was identified in connection with fraud and impersonation in New Jersey.
Another Nigerian, Michael Orji, was listed with offences including fraud, identity theft, money laundering, weapons violations and false citizenship claims.
Other individuals identified include Joshua Ipoade, Oluwatosin Afolabi, Charles Ochi, Daniel Eta, Kazeem Runsewe and Fatiu Lawal.
DHS also listed Ifeanyi Ibennah in connection with cruelty towards a child in Tampa, Florida. Similarly, Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi was listed over an assault offence in New York.
US intensifies immigration enforcement
The department disclosed that the individuals were apprehended across states including Texas, Georgia, New Jersey, Florida, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Washington.
The latest publication comes as the Trump administration continues efforts to identify and remove foreign nationals. These individuals are considered priorities for immigration enforcement.
DHS maintained that ICE officers were working to enforce immigration laws and remove non-citizens with criminal records from the country.
However, the agency’s publication did not establish whether all 24 Nigerians had received final deportation orders. Nor did it confirm if they had already been removed from the United States.
The information also did not provide the complete legal proceedings or immigration status of each individual.
Consequently, inclusion on the list does not independently confirm that every person has been deported. Furthermore, it does not confirm that all listed allegations resulted in criminal convictions.
