The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration officers over alleged criminal offences across the country.
The announcement comes as the administration of President Donald Trump intensifies its immigration enforcement campaign, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducting arrests in different parts of the United States.
According to the list published by DHS, the Nigerian nationals were arrested in various locations, with alleged offences ranging from fraud, identity theft and money laundering to drug-related offences, weapons violations and assault.
The department identified the individuals, the alleged offences associated with their cases and the locations where they were arrested. However, the allegations listed by the agency should not be taken as proof of guilt or a final determination of the cases.
Full List of 24 Nigerians Released by US DHS
Below are the names of the 24 Nigerian nationals identified in the DHS announcement, alongside the alleged offences and locations listed by the department.
- Emmanuel Omowaiye — Mail fraud; Richmond, Texas.
- Laurene Onwuka — Fraud and impersonation; Chantilly, Virginia.
- Olusegun Shonekan — Wire fraud; Newark, New Jersey.
- Olusegun Olaseni — Amphetamine sale; Greencastle, Indiana.
- Peter Ude — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
- Newton Jemide — Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; Fort Dix, New Jersey.
- Shedrack Umukoro — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Olasoji Akinbode — Fraud and impersonation; Kearny, New Jersey.
- Oluwatosin Afolabi — Fraud; Conroe, Texas.
- Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — Drug possession; Chicago, Illinois.
- Joshua Ipoade — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
- Michael Orji — Weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; Oxford, Wisconsin.
- Ahmadu Apooyin — Drug-related offence; Baltimore, Maryland.
- Teslim Kiriji — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Onomen Uduebor — Identity theft; Seattle, Washington.
- Charles Ochi — Money laundering; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Daniel Eta — Wire fraud; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Ifeanyi Ibennah — Cruelty towards a child; Tampa, Florida.
- Kazeem Runsewe — Wire fraud; Thomson, Illinois.
- Fatiu Lawal — Wire fraud; Lompoc, California.
- Justin Akubueze — Money laundering; Orem, Utah.
- Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; Orlando, Florida.
- Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — Assault; Alden, New York.
- Bright Eigbedion — Money laundering; Lompoc, California.
Fraud and Money Laundering Among Allegations
The list published by the US Department of Homeland Security includes several cases involving alleged financial crimes.
Wire fraud appears repeatedly among the offences listed, while other allegations include mail fraud, identity theft, impersonation and money laundering.
Drug-related allegations also feature in the announcement, including amphetamine sale and drug possession. Other cases involve weapons violations, assault, alleged cruelty towards a child, forgery, larceny and concealing stolen property.
The locations listed by DHS span multiple US states, including Texas, New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, California, Mississippi and Pennsylvania.
Trump Administration Intensifies Immigration Enforcement
The release of the names and photographs forms part of the broader immigration enforcement drive under the Trump administration, according to DHS.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws and carrying out immigration-related arrests. The agency’s operations have attracted increased attention as the administration pursues its stated immigration enforcement priorities.
The latest announcement highlights the intersection of immigration enforcement and alleged criminal activity involving foreign nationals. However, the publication of an individual’s name or photograph by an enforcement agency does not, on its own, establish criminal guilt.
The legal status and outcome of each case would depend on the relevant proceedings and available court records.
What to Know About the DHS Announcement
DHS identified 24 Nigerian nationals in its announcement, listing the alleged offences and arrest locations associated with each person.
The allegations vary significantly, from financial and identity-related offences to drug-related cases and violent-crime allegations. The department’s publication is part of its wider communication about immigration enforcement activities in the United States.
Further details about the circumstances of the arrests, the individuals’ immigration status and the current status of their respective cases would need to be established from official records.
Note: The offences listed above are presented as allegations reported by DHS. An arrest or accusation does not necessarily mean that a person has been convicted of a crime.