The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals who were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers for various alleged offenses. The arrests were made in different locations across the U.S. and the offenses include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations, and child cruelty.
According to DHS, the announcement was intended to highlight non-U.S citizens with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration enforcement officers. The Department stated that it was fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst. The list of arrested individuals includes Emmanuel Omowaiye, who was arrested for mail fraud in Richmond, Texas, and Laurene Onwuka, who was arrested for impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia.
The list also includes Olusegun Shonekan, who was arrested for wire fraud in Newark, New Jersey; Olusegun Olaseni, who was arrested for amphetamine sale in Greencastle, Indiana; and Peter Ude, who was arrested for wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia. Other individuals on the list include Newton Jemide, Shedrack Umukoro, Olasoji Akinbode, Oluwatosin Afolabi, Alameen Adetunji Tokosi, Joshua Ipoade, and Michael Orji.
The remaining individuals on the list are Ahmadu Apooyin, Teslim Kiriji, Onomen Uduebor, Charles Ochi, Daniel Eta, and Ifeanyi Ibennah. They were arrested for various offenses including drug-related offenses, money laundering, identity theft, and cruelty towards a child. The list also includes Kazeem Runsewe, Fatiu Lawal, Justin Akubueze, Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo, Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi, and Bright Eigbedion.
DHS said the announcement was part of the US government’s broader immigration enforcement drive, with ICE conducting arrests across the country. The publication comes as the administration continues efforts to remove non-US citizens identified as priorities under its immigration enforcement policy. However, the information released by DHS does not specify the final immigration status of each individual or provide details of their respective deportation proceedings.
Meanwhile, the federal government has evacuated another batch of 111 distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid heightened concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in the country. The returnees, comprising 44 men, 23 women, and 44 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060. The evacuation was fully funded by the $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God to support the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.
The federal government expressed appreciation to the RCCG for its financial support towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians and reaffirmed its commitment to engaging the South African authorities and other stakeholders to address xenophobia and Afrophobia in the country. The ministry advised Nigerians living in South Africa to comply with local laws, remain vigilant, and prioritize their safety.
Key points
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has published the names and photos of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers for various alleged offenses.
- The arrested individuals face various offenses including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations, and child cruelty.
- The federal government has evacuated 111 distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid heightened concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in the country.
