The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration enforcement officers over alleged criminal offences, as the administration continues its crackdown on non-US citizens with criminal records.
The department said the announcement was intended to highlight individuals arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in connection with various offences, including fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft and assault.
“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.
According to the information released by DHS, the individuals were arrested in different locations across the United States. The allegations listed against them vary, and the department did not provide detailed case histories or the outcomes of their respective legal proceedings in the information supplied.
The 24 Nigerians named in the announcement are:
- Emmanuel Omowaiye – Mail fraud; arrested in Richmond, Texas.
- Laurene Onwuka – Fraud and impersonation; arrested in Chantilly, Virginia.
- Olusegun Shonekan – Wire fraud; arrested in Newark, New Jersey.
- Olusegun Olaseni – Sale of amphetamine; arrested in Greencastle, Indiana.
- Peter Ude – Wire fraud; arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Newton Jemide – Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; arrested in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
- Shedrack Umukoro – Money laundering; arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Olasoji Akinbode – Fraud and impersonation; arrested in Kearny, New Jersey.
- Oluwatosin Afolabi – Fraud; arrested in Conroe, Texas.
- Alameen Adetunji Tokosi – Drug possession; arrested in Chicago, Illinois.
- Joshua Ipoade – Wire fraud; arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Michael Orji – Weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin.
- Ahmadu Apooyin – Drug-related offence; arrested in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Teslim Kiriji – Money laundering; arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Onomen Uduebor – Identity theft; arrested in Seattle, Washington.
- Charles Ochi – Money laundering; arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Daniel Eta – Wire fraud; arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Ifeanyi Ibennah – Cruelty towards a child; arrested in Tampa, Florida.
- Kazeem Runsewe – Wire fraud; arrested in Thomson, Illinois.
- Fatiu Lawal – Wire fraud; arrested in Lompoc, California.
- Justin Akubueze – Money laundering; arrested in Orem, Utah.
- Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo – Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; arrested in Orlando, Florida.
- Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi – Assault; arrested in Alden, New York.
- Bright Eigbedion – Money laundering; arrested in Lompoc, California.
The list includes allegations involving financial crimes, such as mail and wire fraud, as well as drug offences, weapons violations and crimes against individuals. However, the nature and number of allegations differ from one person to another.
DHS said the announcement forms part of the US government’s wider immigration enforcement campaign, with ICE carrying out arrests across the country as authorities pursue the removal of certain non-US citizens under the administration’s immigration policies.
The publication of the names comes amid continued efforts by US authorities to identify and apprehend foreign nationals considered priorities for immigration enforcement.
However, an arrest does not by itself establish guilt, and the information provided by DHS does not specify whether each individual has been convicted of the listed offences.
The announcement also does not establish the final immigration status of each person or confirm that all 24 have been ordered deported or removed from the United States.
Their inclusion on the list therefore confirms that DHS identified them in connection with its enforcement announcement, but further information would be needed to establish the outcome of each person’s criminal case and immigration proceedings.
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