US Authorities Release Names, Photos of 24 Nigerians Arrested Over Alleged Crimes

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers over various alleged criminal offences.

According to the department, the arrests took place in different parts of the United States as the Donald Trump administration continues its immigration enforcement campaign.

The alleged offences include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and child cruelty.

DHS said the announcement was part of its efforts to identify non-US citizens with criminal records who have come under the attention of immigration authorities.

The department added that the enforcement activities aligned with President Donald Trump's stated commitment to deport immigrants who fall within the administration's immigration enforcement priorities.

However, the release of the names does not establish that every individual has been convicted of the alleged offences or that deportation has been completed.

Full List of 24 Nigerians Named by US Authorities

DHS identified the following Nigerians, their alleged offences and the locations of their arrests.

1. Emmanuel Omowaiye

   • Alleged offence: Mail fraud

   • Arrest location: Richmond, Texas.

2. Laurene Onwuka

   • Alleged offences: Fraud and impersonation

   • Arrest location: Chantilly, Virginia.

3. Olusegun Shonekan

   • Alleged offence: Wire fraud

   • Arrest location: Newark, New Jersey.

4. Olusegun Olaseni

   • Alleged offence: Sale of amphetamine

   • Arrest location: Greencastle, Indiana.

5. Peter Ude

   • Alleged offence: Wire fraud

   • Arrest location: Atlanta, Georgia.

6. Newton Jemide

   • Alleged offences: Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud

   • Arrest location: Fort Dix, New Jersey.

7. Shedrack Umukoro

   • Alleged offence: Money laundering

   • Arrest location: Yazoo City, Mississippi.

8. Olasoji Akinbode

   • Alleged offences: Fraud and impersonation

   • Arrest location: Kearny, New Jersey.

9. Oluwatosin Afolabi

   • Alleged offence: Fraud

   • Arrest location: Conroe, Texas.

10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi

    • Alleged offence: Drug possession

    • Arrest location: Chicago, Illinois.

11. Joshua Ipoade

    • Alleged offence: Wire fraud

    • Arrest location: Atlanta, Georgia.

12. Michael Orji

    • Alleged offences: Weapons violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, falsely claiming US citizenship and money laundering

    • Arrest location: Oxford, Wisconsin.

13. Ahmadu Apooyin

    • Alleged offence: Drug-related crime

    • Arrest location: Baltimore, Maryland.

14. Teslim Kiriji

    • Alleged offence: Money laundering

    • Arrest location: Yazoo City, Mississippi.

15. Onomen Uduebor

    • Alleged offence: Identity theft

    • Arrest location: Seattle, Washington.

16. Charles Ochi

    • Alleged offence: Money laundering

    • Arrest location: White Deer, Pennsylvania.

17. Daniel Eta

    • Alleged offence: Wire fraud

    • Arrest location: White Deer, Pennsylvania.

18. Ifeanyi Ibennah

    • Alleged offence: Child cruelty

    • Arrest location: Tampa, Florida.

19. Kazeem Runsewe

    • Alleged offence: Wire fraud

    • Arrest location: Thomson, Illinois.

20. Fatiu Lawal

    • Alleged offence: Wire fraud

    • Arrest location: Lompoc, California.

21. Justin Akubueze

    • Alleged offence: Money laundering

    • Arrest location: Orem, Utah.

22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo

    • Alleged offences: Theft, forgery and concealing stolen property

    • Arrest location: Orlando, Florida.

23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi

    • Alleged offence: Assault

    • Arrest location: Alden, New York.

24. Bright Eigbedion

    • Alleged offence: Money laundering

    • Arrest location: Lompoc, California.

What Happens Next in the Deportation Process?

The announcement comes amid the Trump administration's broader efforts to enforce US immigration laws, including actions against non-citizens who have been arrested or have criminal records.

However, DHS did not provide specific details about the final immigration status of each Nigerian listed or the progress of their individual deportation proceedings.

An immigration arrest does not necessarily mean that a person has already been deported. The outcome of each case depends on the applicable immigration procedures and the individual's circumstances.

Similarly, an allegation or arrest should not be treated as proof of guilt. The legal status and outcome of each person's case would need to be confirmed through reliable official records.

The announcement highlights the potential immigration consequences facing non-US citizens involved in criminal proceedings, particularly those who fall within the enforcement priorities of US authorities.