The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced the arrest of 24 Nigerian nationals by immigration officers over various alleged criminal offences. The arrests were made by officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in different locations across the country. The offences listed include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations, and child cruelty.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the arrests were part of the US government's broader immigration enforcement drive. The department released the names and photographs of the Nigerian nationals, along with the offences associated with their cases and the locations where they were arrested. The announcement was made as the Trump administration pursues its policy of removing non-US citizens identified as priorities under its immigration enforcement programme.
The list published by the department identifies the Nigerian nationals and the offences associated with their cases. Emmanuel Omowaiye was arrested in Richmond, Texas, for mail fraud, while Laurene Onwuka was arrested in Chantilly, Virginia, for fraud and impersonation. Olusegun Shonekan was arrested in Newark, New Jersey, for wire fraud, and Olusegun Olaseni was arrested in Greencastle, Indiana, for amphetamine sale.
Other Nigerians arrested include Peter Ude, who was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, for wire fraud, and Newton Jemide, who was arrested in Fort Dix, New Jersey, for wire fraud, conspiracy, and mail fraud. Shedrack Umukoro was arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi, for money laundering, and Olasoji Akinbode was arrested in Kearny, New Jersey, for fraud and impersonation.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that the announcement was part of its efforts to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records apprehended by immigration enforcement officers. The department said it was fulfilling President Trump's promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst.
The publication does not specify the final immigration status of each individual or provide details of their respective deportation proceedings. Their inclusion on the list does not, by itself, establish that they have already been deported or that every offence listed resulted in a criminal conviction.
The US government's immigration enforcement drive has been a major focus of the Trump administration. The administration has pursued a policy of removing non-US citizens identified as priorities under its immigration enforcement programme. The Department of Homeland Security has been carrying out arrests across the country as part of this effort.
Key points
- The US Department of Homeland Security has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration officers over alleged criminal offences.
- The arrests were part of the US government's broader immigration enforcement drive.
- The publication does not specify the final immigration status of each individual or provide details of their respective deportation proceedings.
