US names 124 Nigerians for deportation over criminal convictions

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 124 Nigerians listed for deportation as part of an ongoing immigration enforcement campaign targeting non-citizens convicted of criminal offences.

The list, released on the DHS website on Wednesday, identifies the Nigerians among individuals the agency described as the “worst of the worst” offenders facing removal from the United States.

Although the agency did not disclose the specific crimes committed by those listed or provide a timeline for their deportation, it said the individuals had been convicted of serious offences and were being prioritised under the current immigration enforcement strategy.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the agency said.

It added that immigration authorities were implementing President Donald Trump’s directive to intensify deportations, beginning with undocumented migrants considered to pose threats to public safety and national security.

The published list includes 124 Nigerians, among them Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Mkpouto Etukudoh, Marcus Unigwe, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred and Chibundu Anuebunwa.

Others listed include Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau, Oriyomi Aloba, Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, Joseph Ogbara, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Patrick Onogwu and Omotayo Akinto, among others.

The development forms part of the Trump administration’s expanded immigration crackdown following the president’s return to office in January 2025.

On his first day back in office, Trump signed executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency and directing federal agencies to strengthen border security while accelerating the removal of undocumented migrants.

One of the directives instructed immigration authorities to prioritise the arrest and deportation of non-citizens convicted of criminal offences.

The White House has defended the policy, saying it is focused on enforcing immigration laws and removing individuals with criminal records.

Official U.S. immigration statistics show Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador have recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed enforcement campaign began. The U.S. has also expanded deportation flights to several countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

The latest development comes weeks after Washington imposed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening.