The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport at least 79 Nigerians convicted of various crimes, as part of its ongoing crackdown on criminal immigrants.
Information published on the DHS website on Monday showed that the Nigerians were listed among individuals described as the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The offences include fraud, drug trafficking, robbery, assault, and manslaughter.
According to DHS, the arrests were carried out in line with the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement strategy, which prioritises the removal of undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records.
A statement on the DHS website read: “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise by carrying out mass deportations, starting with the most dangerous offenders.”
The list includes 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, Oriyomi Aloba, Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, and Toluwani Adebakin, among others.
Others named include Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi, Omotayo Akinto, Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Aishatu Umaru, and Henry Idiagbonya.
The intensified deportation campaign has reportedly created fear within immigrant communities across the United States. Reports indicate that some Nigerians have gone into hiding, while others are returning to Nigeria quietly amid stepped-up ICE raids, including house-to-house enforcement operations.
The sweeping actions have sparked public debate and protests in parts of the country, particularly following recent high-profile incidents involving federal immigration officers.
