The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested for various offences.
According to reports, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested the suspects.
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.
DHS said it arrested the individuals in different parts of the United States.
In a statement announcing the arrests, DHS said the publication intended to highlight non-U.S. citizens with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.
The statement read, “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“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.”
The list released by DHS identifies the Nigerian nationals, the offences associated with their arrests, and 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 broader immigration enforcement campaign, with ICE responsible for carrying out arrests nationwide.
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 each individual’s final immigration status or deportation proceedings. Therefore, being named on the list should not, by itself, be taken as confirmation that a person has already been deported.