The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration enforcement officers over various alleged criminal offences as the administration intensifies its immigration crackdown.
The department also published their photographs and details of the offences attributed to them, including fraud, money laundering, drug-related offences, identity theft, assault and weapons violations.
In its announcement, DHS said the list highlighted non-US citizens with criminal records who had been arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“The US Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the department stated.
The announcement comes amid the US government’s broader efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement and remove non-citizens identified as priorities under its deportation policy.
Among the offences listed by the department, wire fraud and money laundering featured repeatedly, alongside allegations involving impersonation, drug possession, assault and other criminal violations.
Full List of the 24 Nigerians and Their Reported Offences
According to information released by DHS, the individuals and their reported offences and arrest locations are listed below.
1. Emmanuel Omowaiye
– Offence: Mail fraud
– Arrest location: Richmond, Texas
2. Laurene Onwuka
– Offences: Fraud and impersonation
– Arrest location: Chantilly, Virginia
3. Olusegun Shonekan
– Offence: Wire fraud
– Arrest location: Newark, New Jersey
4. Olusegun Olaseni
– Offence: Amphetamine sale
– Arrest location: Greencastle, Indiana
5. Peter Ude
– Offence: Wire fraud
– Arrest location: Atlanta, Georgia
6. Newton Jemide
– Offences: Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud
– Arrest location: Fort Dix, New Jersey
7. Shedrack Umukoro
– Offence: Money laundering
– Arrest location: Yazoo City, Mississippi
8. Olasoji Akinbode
– Offences: Fraud and impersonation
– Arrest location: Kearny, New Jersey
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi
– Offence: Fraud
– Arrest location: Conroe, Texas
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi
– Offence: Drug possession
– Arrest location: Chicago, Illinois
11. Joshua Ipoade
– Offence: Wire fraud
– Arrest location: Atlanta, Georgia
12. Michael Orji
– Offences: Weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering
– Arrest location: Oxford, Wisconsin
13. Ahmadu Apooyin
– Offence: Drug-related offence
– Arrest location: Baltimore, Maryland
14. Teslim Kiriji
– Offence: Money laundering
– Arrest location: Yazoo City, Mississippi
15. Onomen Uduebor
– Offence: Identity theft
– Arrest location: Seattle, Washington
16. Charles Ochi
– Offence: Money laundering
– Arrest location: White Deer, Pennsylvania
17. Daniel Eta
– Offence: Wire fraud
– Arrest location: White Deer, Pennsylvania
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah
– Offence: Cruelty towards a child
– Arrest location: Tampa, Florida
19. Kazeem Runsewe
– Offence: Wire fraud
– Arrest location: Thomson, Illinois
20. Fatiu Lawal
– Offence: Wire fraud
– Arrest location: Lompoc, California
21. Justin Akubueze
– Offence: Money laundering
– Arrest location: Orem, Utah
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo
– Offences: Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property
– Arrest location: Orlando, Florida
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi
– Offence: Assault
– Arrest location: Alden, New York
24. Bright Eigbedion
– Offence: Money laundering
– Arrest location: Lompoc, California
DHS Explains Immigration Enforcement Drive
The department said the announcement was part of the ongoing immigration enforcement operations being carried out by ICE across the United States.
However, the information released did not provide the final immigration status of each individual or establish whether all 24 Nigerians had been ordered deported.
Their inclusion on the list does not, by itself, mean they have already been deported. The offences listed also reflect the information attributed to DHS and should not automatically be interpreted as convictions for every alleged offence.
