The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over alleged criminal offences, as the administration of President Donald Trump intensifies its nationwide immigration enforcement campaign.
The individuals were arrested in different locations across the United States. The offences listed by DHS include wire and mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related offences, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and cruelty towards a child.
DHS said the announcement was part of its effort to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.
The department described those featured as the “worst of the worst” and said the arrests were part of the Trump administration's broader mass-deportation campaign.
Full List of 24 Nigerians
According to the information released by DHS, the Nigerians and the offences associated with their cases are:
1. Emmanuel Omowaiye — Mail fraud; Richmond, Texas.
2. Laurene Onwuka — Fraud and impersonation; Chantilly, Virginia.
3. Olusegun Shonekan — Wire fraud; Newark, New Jersey.
4. Olusegun Olaseni — Amphetamine sale; Greencastle, Indiana.
5. Peter Ude — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
6. Newton Jemide — Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; Fort Dix, New Jersey.
7. Shedrack Umukoro — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
8. Olasoji Akinbode — Fraud and impersonation; Kearny, New Jersey.
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi — Fraud; Conroe, Texas.
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — Drug possession; Chicago, Illinois.
11. Joshua Ipoade — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
12. Michael Orji — Weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; Oxford, Wisconsin.
13. Ahmadu Apooyin — Drug-related offence; Baltimore, Maryland.
14. Teslim Kiriji — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
15. Onomen Uduebor — Identity theft; Seattle, Washington.
16. Charles Ochi — Money laundering; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
17. Daniel Eta — Wire fraud; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah — Cruelty towards a child; Tampa, Florida.
19. Kazeem Runsewe — Wire fraud; Thomson, Illinois.
20. Fatiu Lawal — Wire fraud; Lompoc, California.
21. Justin Akubueze — Money laundering; Orem, Utah.
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; Orlando, Florida.
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — Assault; Alden, New York.
24. Bright Eigbedion — Money laundering; Lompoc, California.
Fraud and Money Laundering Among Listed Cases
Fraud-related offences account for a significant portion of the cases listed by the US authorities.
Several of the Nigerians were arrested over alleged wire fraud, while others were associated with mail fraud, fraud and impersonation, identity theft or money laundering.
Michael Orji's case contains the widest range of allegations on the list, including weapons violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, falsely claiming US citizenship and money laundering.
Drug-related cases also feature on the list. Olusegun Olaseni was arrested in Indiana over the alleged sale of amphetamine, while Alameen Adetunji Tokosi was arrested in Chicago over drug possession. Ahmadu Apooyin was also listed for a drug-related offence.
Other cases involve alleged assault, child cruelty, forgery, larceny and concealment of stolen property.
Arrests Took Place Across Multiple States
The arrests span numerous US states, illustrating the nationwide nature of the immigration enforcement operation.
Among the locations identified by DHS are Texas, Virginia, New Jersey, Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, Washington, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Utah and New York.
Two of the Nigerians — Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji — were arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi, in cases involving alleged money laundering. Charles Ochi and Daniel Eta were arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania, while Fatiu Lawal and Bright Eigbedion were arrested in Lompoc, California.
DHS Intensifies Immigration Enforcement
The publication comes as the Trump administration continues to expand immigration enforcement operations and prioritise the arrest and removal of non-US citizens who authorities say have criminal records or otherwise fall within the administration's immigration enforcement priorities.
ICE has been carrying out arrests across the country as part of the administration's wider deportation programme.
DHS said its announcement was intended to draw attention to individuals it says have criminal records and were apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.
The administration has repeatedly said that its immigration policy prioritises individuals considered threats to public safety and those who have violated US immigration or criminal laws.
Being Named Does Not Automatically Mean Deportation
The release of the names and photographs does not, by itself, establish that all 24 Nigerians have already been deported.
Reports citing the DHS information noted that the department did not provide the final immigration status or details of the deportation proceedings for each person on the list.
Likewise, the publication of an alleged offence by immigration authorities should not automatically be interpreted as a final criminal conviction unless a conviction has been established through the relevant court process.
The cases can involve separate criminal and immigration proceedings, meaning the ultimate outcome may differ from the initial allegations or arrest circumstances.
Growing Focus on Non-US Citizens With Criminal Records
The announcement reflects the Trump administration's continued emphasis on immigration enforcement against non-US citizens who have been arrested or convicted of criminal offences.
For the Nigerians named, the cases cover a broad range of alleged offences, with financial crimes making up a substantial part of the list.
The publication of names and photographs also represents part of DHS's public-facing strategy of highlighting immigration arrests as the administration pursues its broader deportation objectives.
As ICE continues operations across the United States, further lists of foreign nationals arrested under the administration's enforcement priorities are expected to remain a feature of the government's immigration communications.
