The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over alleged criminal offences, as the country continues its deportation operations.
According to information published by DHS, the individuals were arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in different parts of the country.
The alleged offences linked to the arrests include wire and mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and cruelty towards a child.
In a statement announcing the arrests, DHS said the publication was intended to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records who had been arrested by immigration enforcement officers.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement reads.
“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations – starting with the worst of the worst – including the illegal aliens you see here.”
The list published by the department identifies the Nigerian nationals, the alleged offences associated with their cases and the locations where they were apprehended.
The individuals named by DHS and the alleged offences linked to their arrests are listed below.
1. Emmanuel Omowaiye was arrested over alleged mail fraud in Richmond, Texas.
2. Laurene Onwuka was arrested over alleged fraud and impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia.
3. Olusegun Shonekan was arrested over alleged wire fraud in Newark, New Jersey.
4. Olusegun Olaseni was arrested over the alleged sale of amphetamines in Greencastle, Indiana.
5. Peter Ude was arrested over alleged wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia.
6. Newton Jemide was arrested over alleged wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
7. Shedrack Umukoro was arrested over alleged money laundering in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
8. Olasoji Akinbode was arrested over alleged fraud and impersonation in Kearny, New Jersey.
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi was arrested over alleged fraud in Conroe, Texas.
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi was arrested over alleged drug possession in Chicago, Illinois.
11. Joshua Ipoade was arrested over alleged wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia.
12. Michael Orji was arrested over alleged weapons violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false claims of citizenship and money laundering in Oxford, Wisconsin.
13. Ahmadu Apooyin was arrested over an alleged drug-related offence in Baltimore, Maryland.
14. Teslim Kiriji was arrested over alleged money laundering in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
15. Onomen Uduebor was arrested over alleged identity theft in Seattle, Washington.
16. Charles Ochi was arrested over alleged money laundering in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
17. Daniel Eta was arrested over alleged wire fraud in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah was arrested over alleged cruelty towards a child in Tampa, Florida.
19. Kazeem Runsewe was arrested over alleged wire fraud in Thomson, Illinois.
20. Fatiu Lawal was arrested over alleged wire fraud in Lompoc, California.
21. Justin Akubueze was arrested over alleged money laundering in Orem, Utah.
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo was arrested over alleged larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property in Orlando, Florida.
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi was arrested over alleged assault in Alden, New York.
24. Bright Eigbedion was arrested over alleged money laundering in Lompoc, California.
The DHS announcement forms part of the US government’s broader immigration enforcement and deportation operations under President Donald Trump.
However, the information provided does not establish the outcomes of the individual cases or whether all those named have been convicted of the alleged offences. Arrests and allegations do not, by themselves, establish guilt.
