According to information published by the department on Thursday, the individuals were arrested by officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at different locations across the country.
The offences associated with their cases include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related offences, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations, larceny and cruelty towards a child.
In announcing the arrests, DHS said it was highlighting foreign nationals with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.
“The US Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the department stated.
It added that its officers were carrying out President Trump’s promise to enforce immigration laws and conduct deportation operations, beginning with individuals it described as the most serious offenders.
“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking 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, including the illegal aliens you see here,” the department said.
The list released by DHS identifies the Nigerian nationals, the offences associated with their cases and the locations where they were arrested.
The individuals named in the announcement are as follows:
- Emmanuel Omowaiye — Mail fraud; Richmond, Texas.
- Laurene Onwuka — Fraud and impersonation; Chantilly, Virginia.
- Olusegun Shonekan — Wire fraud; Newark, New Jersey.
- Olusegun Olaseni — Sale of amphetamines; Greencastle, Indiana.
- Peter Ude — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
- Newton Jemide — Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; Fort Dix, New Jersey.
- Shedrack Umukoro — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Olasoji Akinbode — Fraud and impersonation; Kearny, New Jersey.
- Oluwatosin Afolabi — Fraud; Conroe, Texas.
- Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — Drug possession; Chicago, Illinois.
- Joshua Ipoade — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
- Michael Orji — Weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; Oxford, Wisconsin.
- Ahmadu Apooyin — Drug-related offence; Baltimore, Maryland.
- Teslim Kiriji — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Onomen Uduebor — Identity theft; Seattle, Washington.
- Charles Ochi — Money laundering; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Daniel Eta — Wire fraud; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Ifeanyi Ibennah — Cruelty towards a child; Tampa, Florida.
- Kazeem Runsewe — Wire fraud; Thomson, Illinois.
- Fatiu Lawal — Wire fraud; Lompoc, California.
- Justin Akubueze — Money laundering; Orem, Utah.
- Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; Orlando, Florida.
- Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — Assault; Alden, New York.
- Bright Eigbedion — Money laundering; Lompoc, California.
US Intensifies Immigration Enforcement
The announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s broader efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement, increase deportations and remove foreign nationals deemed ineligible to remain in the United States.
ICE is responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws, including identifying and apprehending individuals who may be subject to detention or removal.
The release of the Nigerians’ names and photographs forms part of DHS’s public communication strategy, through which the department highlights arrests involving foreign nationals accused of or convicted of criminal offences.
However, the department’s announcement does not, by itself, establish the legal outcome of each individual’s case. The offences listed should not automatically be interpreted as convictions, as the information provided does not specify the judicial status of every case.
The publication is likely to attract attention in Nigeria, particularly amid continuing concerns about the international reputation of Nigerians and the consequences of criminal activities involving citizens abroad.
Nevertheless, the allegations against the individuals named by US authorities should be considered on a case-by-case basis, with due regard for the presumption of innocence where guilt has not been established by a court.
DHS said the arrests formed part of the nationwide immigration enforcement campaign, which continues to target foreign nationals considered subject to removal under US law.
