The United States Department of Homeland Security has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration officers over alleged criminal offences in different parts of the country.
The department disclosed the arrests in a statement published on Thursday, as President Donald Trump’s administration continues its immigration enforcement campaign.
According to the DHS, the individuals were arrested by officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement over offences ranging from fraud and money laundering to drug-related crimes, identity theft, forgery, assault and weapons violations.
Other allegations listed include child cruelty, impersonation, larceny and concealing stolen property.
The department said the publication was intended to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.
DHS also said the arrests formed part of the administration’s effort to remove immigrants identified as priorities under its mass deportation policy.
Among those named were Emmanuel Omowaiye, arrested in Richmond, Texas, over mail fraud; Laurene Onwuka, linked to fraud and impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia; and Olusegun Shonekan, arrested in Newark, New Jersey, over wire fraud.
Others include Peter Ude and Joshua Ipoade, both listed over wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Newton Jemide, whose listed offences include wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud.
The list also names Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji, both associated with money laundering cases in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
Michael Orji was listed over several offences, including weapons violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering. He was arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin.
Other Nigerians named include Olasoji Akinbode, Oluwatosin Afolabi, Alameen Adetunji Tokosi, Ahmadu Apooyin, Onomen Uduebor, Charles Ochi, Daniel Eta, Ifeanyi Ibennah, Kazeem Runsewe, Fatiu Lawal, Justin Akubueze, Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo, Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi and Bright Eigbedion.
The listed locations span several US states, including Texas, Virginia, New Jersey, Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, Maryland, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Utah and New York.
The announcement comes as the Trump administration pursues stricter immigration enforcement, with ICE conducting arrests across the country.
However, the information released by the department does not establish whether all 24 individuals have been convicted of the offences listed against them. It also does not provide details of their individual immigration proceedings or confirm that they have been deported.
Their inclusion in the announcement should therefore not be taken as confirmation that every allegation resulted in a criminal conviction.
