The United States has named 24 Nigerians facing deportation as immigration authorities continue nationwide enforcement operations targeting non-US citizens accused of criminal offences. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released their names and photographs, alongside details of the allegations and the locations where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested them.
According to a report published by Vanguard on October 12, 2026, the list includes Nigerians linked to alleged financial crimes, drug offences, identity theft, assault, forgery and other violations. The announcement forms part of the US government’s broader efforts to enforce immigration laws and remove eligible non-citizens from the country.
DHS described the individuals as part of a group of foreign nationals with criminal records who immigration officers had apprehended. However, the announcement does not provide a confirmed deportation date for each person, and being named on the list does not establish that every individual has already left the United States.
Nigerians Facing Deportation Over Financial Crimes
Several Nigerians on the list face allegations involving financial fraud, including wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. These cases account for a significant portion of the offences identified in the DHS announcement.
Authorities arrested Emmanuel Omowaiye in Richmond, Texas, over alleged mail fraud, while they arrested Laurene Onwuka in Chantilly, Virginia, over alleged fraud and impersonation. In Newark, New Jersey, officers arrested Olusegun Shonekan over alleged wire fraud.
The list also includes Newton Jemide, whom authorities arrested in Fort Dix, New Jersey, in connection with alleged wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud. Shedrack Umukoro appeared on the list over alleged money laundering following his arrest in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
Other names include Peter Ude and Joshua Ipoade, both linked to alleged wire fraud cases in Atlanta, Georgia. Authorities also listed Teslim Kiriji and Charles Ochi in connection with money laundering allegations.
Michael Orji faces a range of allegations, including weapons violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering. Meanwhile, Olasoji Akinbode and Oluwatosin Afolabi appear on the list in connection with fraud-related allegations.
The cases span several states, showing that the arrests took place in different locations rather than through a single operation in one city.
Drug Offences, Identity Theft and Other Allegations
Beyond financial crimes, the DHS list identifies Nigerians facing allegations involving drugs, identity theft, assault, forgery and other offences.
Olusegun Olaseni was arrested in Greencastle, Indiana, over an alleged amphetamine sale, while Alameen Adetunji Tokosi appeared on the list over alleged drug possession in Chicago, Illinois. Authorities also listed Ahmadu Apooyin in connection with a drug-related offence in Baltimore, Maryland.
Onomen Uduebor faces an identity theft allegation following an arrest in Seattle, Washington. In Tampa, Florida, authorities arrested Ifeanyi Ibennah over an allegation of cruelty towards a child.
The list further includes Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo, whom authorities arrested in Orlando, Florida, over allegations of larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi was arrested in Alden, New York, over an alleged assault.
Other individuals named include Kazeem Runsewe, Fatiu Lawal, Daniel Eta and Olusegun Shonekan, who appear in connection with wire fraud allegations in different locations. Bright Eigbedion and Justin Akubueze also appear on the list over alleged money laundering.
The publication identifies the individuals and the allegations associated with their arrests, but it does not provide a full account of the evidence or the legal outcomes of each case.
US Immigration Enforcement Continues
DHS said the publication highlights foreign nationals with criminal records who ICE officers have arrested as the government pursues its deportation policy. The department also linked the operation to President Donald Trump’s pledge to increase immigration enforcement and remove non-citizens who qualify for deportation.
For Nigerians living in the United States, the announcement highlights the potential immigration consequences of criminal cases, although the outcome depends on the circumstances and legal status of each individual.
It is important to distinguish an arrest or allegation from a criminal conviction. The DHS announcement does not establish that every person named has been convicted of all the offences listed, nor does it confirm that authorities have completed deportation proceedings for all 24 Nigerians.
The agency has not provided a confirmed removal timetable for each individual in the information reported by Vanguard. Further details about their immigration cases and the status of any appeals remain unclear.
As US immigration operations continue, the latest disclosure places renewed attention on the cases of Nigerians facing possible removal from the country and the legal processes that determine their eventual status.
