FULL LIST: US names 24 Nigerians arrested over fraud, money laundering

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has named 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration officers over alleged offences ranging from wire fraud and money laundering to identity theft, drug-related crimes and assault.

The department released their names and photographs on Thursday as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its immigration enforcement and deportation campaign.

According to DHS, the Nigerians were arrested by officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in different locations across the country.

Other offences listed against the individuals include mail fraud, forgery, weapons violations, impersonation, larceny and cruelty towards a child.

Announcing the arrests, DHS said it was highlighting non-US citizens with criminal records apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.

“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 said.

It added that its officers were carrying out President Trump’s mass deportation agenda, beginning with individuals it described as the “worst of the worst.”

Full list of 24 Nigerians

The list published by DHS identifies the individuals, the offences associated with their cases and the locations where they were arrested.

1. Emmanuel Omowaiye — Mail fraud; Richmond, Texas.
2. Laurene Onwuka — Fraud and impersonation; Chantilly, Virginia.
3. Olusegun Shonekan — Wire fraud; Newark, New Jersey.
4. Olusegun Olaseni — Amphetamine sale; Greencastle, Indiana.
5. Peter Ude — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
6. Newton Jemide — Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; Fort Dix, New Jersey.
7. Shedrack Umukoro — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
8. Olasoji Akinbode — Fraud and impersonation; Kearny, New Jersey.
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi — Fraud; Conroe, Texas.
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — Drug possession; Chicago, Illinois.
11. Joshua Ipoade — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
12. Michael Orji — Weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; Oxford, Wisconsin.
13. Ahmadu Apooyin — Drug-related offence; Baltimore, Maryland.
14. Teslim Kiriji — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
15. Onomen Uduebor — Identity theft; Seattle, Washington.
16. Charles Ochi — Money laundering; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
17. Daniel Eta — Wire fraud; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah — Cruelty towards a child; Tampa, Florida.
19. Kazeem Runsewe — Wire fraud; Thomson, Illinois.
20. Fatiu Lawal — Wire fraud; Lompoc, California.
21. Justin Akubueze — Money laundering; Orem, Utah.
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; Orlando, Florida.
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — Assault; Alden, New York.
24. Bright Eigbedion — Money laundering; Lompoc, California.

DHS said the announcement formed part of the broader US immigration enforcement drive, under which ICE conducts arrests nationwide as the administration pursues the removal of non-US citizens prioritised under its policies.

However, the information released by the department did not specify the final immigration status of each individual or provide details of their respective deportation proceedings.

Being named on the list does not, by itself, establish that an individual has been deported or that every offence listed resulted in a criminal conviction.