US to deport 97 Nigerians over alleged immigration offences
US Lists Additional 18 Nigerians for Deportation, Total Now 97
The United States has added 18 Nigerians to its deportation list, bringing the total number of Nigerians earmarked for removal to 97.
This was disclosed in a statement published on the website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and seen on Tuesday.
According to the DHS, the latest arrests form part of a coordinated enforcement operation carried out across multiple U.S. states by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. The agency said the new additions were made under an expanded nationwide crackdown targeting immigrants convicted of serious crimes.
The operation was described as part of the government’s “worst-of-the-worst” criminal immigrants programme.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement read.
“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst.”
Authorities said the offences linked to the newly listed individuals include wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft, which they described as posing significant financial and security risks.
The 18 Nigerians named in 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, Donald Ehie and Chukwudi Kalu.
The DHS said the deportations would proceed immediately in accordance with U.S. immigration laws.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, the U.S. government has intensified enforcement of its immigration policies.