The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport at least 79 Nigerians listed among what it described as the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens in the country.
Information published on the DHS website on Monday showed that the Nigerians were convicted of various offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, assault, manslaughter, robbery and other related crimes.
According to DHS, the individuals were arrested as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on criminal immigrants being carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the agency said in a statement.
It added that under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS and ICE officials were implementing President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, beginning with the deportation of criminal immigrants.
Those listed include Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau and Oriyomi Aloba.
Others named are Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay and Joseph Ogbara.
Also on the list are Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi and Omotayo Akinto.
Others include Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru and Henry Idiagbonya.
Further names are Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba and Akeem Adeleke.
Also included are Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Abiemwense Obanor, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Abimbola Esan, Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Adetunji Olofinlade, Abdul Akinsanya, Elizabeth Adeshewo, Dennis Ofuoma and Quazeem Adeyinka, among others.
President Trump’s administration has sustained an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign across the United States, with reports indicating that many Nigerians have been affected by the renewed deportation drive.
Amid intensified ICE operations, some Nigerians are said to have gone into hiding, while others are reportedly returning home quietly.
The enforcement actions, which reportedly include house-to-house raids, have sparked fear, protests and controversy in several U.S. cities, particularly following high-profile encounters between federal immigration officers and immigrant communities.