The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians apprehended by immigration enforcement authorities over offences ranging from wire fraud and money laundering to identity theft, drug-related crimes and assault.
The Nigerians were arrested in different parts of the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to information released by DHS as part of the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement and deportation campaign.
The department said the publication was intended to draw public attention to non-US citizens with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration officers.
In its statement, DHS described the individuals featured in its enforcement publicity campaign as the “worst of worst criminal aliens,” adding that ICE officers were carrying out the administration’s immigration enforcement priorities.
“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations,” the department stated.
The announcement comes amid the US government’s continued efforts to identify, arrest and remove foreign nationals considered priorities for immigration enforcement.
Full List of 24 Nigerians Named by US Immigration Authorities
According to the information attributed to DHS, the 24 Nigerian nationals were linked to offences including financial fraud, drug violations, weapons offences, identity theft, forgery and assault.
The individuals, their listed offences and arrest locations are detailed below.
| S/N | Name | Listed offence(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel Omowaiye | Mail fraud | Richmond, Texas |
| 2 | Laurene Onwuka | Fraud, 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, mail fraud | Fort Dix, New Jersey |
| 7 | Shedrack Umukoro | Money laundering | Yazoo City, Mississippi |
| 8 | Olasoji Akinbode | Fraud, 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 offence, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship, 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, concealing stolen property | Orlando, Florida |
| 23 | Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi | Assault | Alden, New York |
| 24 | Bright Eigbedion | Money laundering | Lompoc, California |
Fraud and Money Laundering Feature Prominently in DHS List
An examination of the offences attributed to the 24 Nigerians shows that financial crimes feature prominently in the DHS publication.
Several individuals were listed in connection with wire fraud, while others were associated with mail fraud, money laundering, impersonation and identity theft.
Among those named were Olusegun Shonekan, Peter Ude, Joshua Ipoade, Daniel Eta, Kazeem Runsewe and Fatiu Lawal, all listed in connection with wire fraud.
Similarly, Shedrack Umukoro, Teslim Kiriji, Charles Ochi, Justin Akubueze and Bright Eigbedion were associated with money laundering offences.
Michael Orji was listed in connection with several offences, including weapons violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering.
The offences listed against other individuals included drug possession, amphetamine sales, assault, cruelty towards a child and concealing stolen property.
However, the published summary does not establish whether every listed offence resulted in a conviction or represents a charge or another category of criminal record.
Arrests Span Multiple US States
The locations identified in the DHS publication show that the individuals were apprehended across several American states, including Texas, New Jersey, Georgia, California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Mississippi.
New Jersey featured three individuals on the list, while Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Pennsylvania and California each accounted for two.
Other locations included Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, Washington, Utah and New York.
The geographical spread reflects the nationwide scope of ICE enforcement operations rather than an operation confined to one city or state.
Trump Administration Intensifies Immigration Enforcement
The publication forms part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement agenda, which prioritises the arrest and removal of certain non-US citizens, particularly those identified by authorities as having criminal records.
DHS said its officers and ICE personnel were implementing the administration’s deportation policy.
ICE is the federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement operations within the United States, including identifying, apprehending, detaining and removing non-citizens subject to immigration laws.
The publication of names and photographs is also part of the department’s effort to publicise enforcement actions and demonstrate progress under the administration’s immigration priorities.
Nevertheless, immigration arrests, criminal convictions and deportation orders are distinct legal matters, and an individual’s appearance in a DHS publication does not automatically establish that deportation has taken place.
Have the 24 Nigerians Been Deported?
Although DHS published the names and photographs of the 24 Nigerians, the information supplied does not confirm that all the individuals have been deported to Nigeria.
The department’s announcement also does not provide a complete account of each person’s immigration proceedings, detention status, appeal rights or final removal decision.
Consequently, the individuals should be described as Nigerians identified in DHS immigration enforcement records, rather than as 24 Nigerians already deported from the United States.
It remains unclear from the available information how many of the individuals are awaiting immigration proceedings, have received final removal orders or have already been removed from the country.
The development highlights the continued scrutiny of foreign nationals with criminal records under US immigration policy, as federal authorities pursue enforcement actions across the country.