The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration authorities over alleged criminal offences in different parts of the country.
The disclosure comes amid intensified immigration enforcement operations by the administration of US President Donald Trump, targeting non-US citizens identified by authorities as having criminal records.
According to information published by the DHS, the arrests were carried out by officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The alleged offences listed against the individuals include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and cruelty towards a child.
In announcing the arrests, the DHS said the publication was intended to highlight foreign nationals with criminal records apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.
Among those named were Emmanuel Omowaiye, arrested in Richmond, Texas, over alleged mail fraud; Laurene Onwuka, listed in connection with fraud and impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia; and Olusegun Shonekan, associated with wire fraud in Newark, New Jersey.
Others include Peter Ude, listed in connection with wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia; Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji, both associated with money laundering cases in Yazoo City, Mississippi; and Michael Orji, whose listed offences include fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, money laundering and weapons violations in Oxford, Wisconsin.
Also on the list are Charles Ochi and Daniel Eta, both associated with cases in White Deer, Pennsylvania; Justin Akubueze, listed in connection with money laundering in Orem, Utah; and Bright Eigbedion, associated with a money laundering case in Lompoc, California.
The other Nigerians named are Olusegun Olaseni, Olasoji Akinbode, Oluwatosin Afolabi, Alameen Adetunji Tokosi, Newton Jemide, Joshua Ipoade, Ahmadu Apooyin, Onomen Uduebor, Ifeanyi Ibennah, Kazeem Runsewe, Fatiu Lawal, Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo and Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi.
The DHS said the disclosure forms part of the US government’s broader immigration enforcement drive, which includes the arrest and removal of non-citizens considered priorities under its policies.
However, the published information does not establish the final immigration status of each individual or confirm that all the listed offences resulted in criminal convictions. It also does not provide detailed information about the circumstances of each case or the status of any deportation proceedings.
The development comes as immigration enforcement remains a major focus of the Trump administration, with authorities continuing operations against foreign nationals identified for possible removal from the United States.
