The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to deport an additional 18 Nigerians listed on its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, bringing the total number of Nigerians slated for removal to 97.
Information published on the DHS website on Monday showed the addition of the new names, signalling an expansion of the ongoing enforcement exercise targeting criminal immigrants.
Updated records indicated that offences such as wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft were among the most common crimes attributed to the newly listed individuals.
In a statement on the website, the department said the arrests were part of a nationwide crackdown by U.S. authorities.
It noted that the Department of Homeland Security was highlighting the “worst of the worst” criminal immigrants arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to the statement, under the leadership of Secretary Noem, DHS and ICE personnel were carrying out President Donald Trump’s policy of mass deportations, beginning with high-priority offenders.
Among the Nigerians named on the latest list are Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo and Franklin Ibeabuchi.
Others include Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Surajudeen Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Chisom Umeadi, Donald Ehie and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu.
The development reflects the administration’s continued hardline stance on illegal and criminal immigrants in the United States, with several foreign nationals, including Nigerians, affected by the enforcement drive.
