The United States government has listed 18 Nigerians for deportation from the country, in addition to 79 others earlier earmarked, bringing the total number of those to be deported to 97.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this via a statement published on its website, noting that the arrests were part of a coordinated crackdown across several U.S. states carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
The DHS said the new names were added as part of an expanded nationwide enforcement operation targeting immigrants convicted of serious crimes, adding that this was done under what it described as its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal immigrants programme.
The agency stated that the alleged offences linked to the newly listed Nigerians include wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft, which posed significant financial and security risks.
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The 18 Nigerians whose names feature on the latest list include Oluwaseyanu Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Ojo, Franklin Ibeabuchi, Alex Ogunshakin, and Joshua Ineh.
Others are Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Umeadi, and Donald Ehie.
The DHS added that the deportation process would be carried out immediately in line with U.S. immigration laws.
The United States government has been enforcing a strict alien immigration policy since the return of President Donald Trump to office in January 2025.
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