US Set to Deport Additional 18 Nigerians on Criminal Watchlist
The United States (US) Government has announced plans to deport an additional 18 Nigerians listed on its criminal watchlist, raising the total number of Nigerians scheduled for removal to 97, Global Mirror News has gathered.
The development comes barely a week after reports emerged that 79 Nigerians convicted of various offences had been marked for deportation under an intensified immigration enforcement programme by U.S. authorities.
A follow-up review of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website on Monday February 9, showed that 18 more names had been added to what the Agency described as its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, signalling a widening of the deportation exercise.
According to DHS records sighted by Global Mirror News, offences linked to the newly listed individuals include wire fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, and other financial-related crimes.
In a statement published on the DHS website, U.S. authorities said the arrests and impending deportations were part of an ongoing Nationwide crackdown on criminal immigrants.
The statement read in part: “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Donald Trump’s promise by carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst offenders.”
Among the Nigerians named on the latest list are Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo, and Franklin Ibeabuchi.
Others include Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Surajudeen Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Chisom Umeadi, Donald Ehie, and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu.
The latest update underscores the Trump administration’s continued hardline stance on illegal immigration and criminal activities, with several foreign nationals affected by the policy, including Nigerians.
Global Mirror News recalls that on February 2, U.S. authorities had earlier listed 79 Nigerians for deportation. Those previously named include Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, and Chibundu Anuebunwa, among others.
The deportation process is expected to be carried out in phases as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues its enforcement operations Nationwide.
