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The United States government has commenced plans to deport 97 Nigerian nationals over alleged violations of immigration and criminal laws, according to official records released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Authorities confirmed that the figure comprises 18 newly listed Nigerians added to an earlier batch of 79 individuals already marked for removal. The development forms part of a broader enforcement operation coordinated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across multiple states.
Ejes Gist News reports that the updated deportation list was published on the official DHS website as part of what American authorities described as a nationwide crackdown on immigrants accused of serious criminal conduct.
DHS Explains Basis for Deportations
In the statement, DHS said the targeted individuals were arrested under an expanded enforcement programme aimed at removing non-citizens convicted of crimes considered threats to public safety and financial security.
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The agency described the operation as focusing on what it termed “worst-of-the-worst criminal immigrants.” It added that the alleged offences linked to the affected Nigerians include wire fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the statement read.
It further stated that enforcement actions were being carried out in line with federal immigration laws and under directives from the current U.S. administration.
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Newly Listed Nigerians for Deportation
The latest list released by DHS contains the names of 18 Nigerian nationals. They include:
- Oluwaseyanu Afolabi
- Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe
- Benjamin Ifebajo
- Obinwanne Okeke
- Kolawole Aminu
- Oluwadamilola Ojo
- Franklin Ibeabuchi
- Alex Ogunshakin
- Joshua Ineh
- Stephen Oseghale
- Eghosa Obaretin
- Adesina Lasisi
- Ibrahim Ijaoba
- Azeez Yinusa
- Charles Akabuogu
- Kelechi Umeh
- Lotenna Umeadi
- Donald Ehie
- Chukwudi Kalu
These names were added to an earlier roster of 79 Nigerians already scheduled for deportation, bringing the total number to 97.
Nature of Allegations
U.S. officials stated that many of the affected individuals were convicted of offences involving financial fraud schemes, cyber-related crimes, and other violations deemed to have caused economic losses.
The DHS claimed that such crimes pose significant risks to American citizens, institutions, and national security interests. ICE authorities said arrests were executed through coordinated operations involving federal and local law enforcement agencies.
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Deportation Process
According to DHS, deportation proceedings would be carried out immediately for individuals who have exhausted legal appeals or whose immigration status had already been revoked.
The agency emphasized that removals would follow established immigration protocols and court directives.
Diplomatic Implications
The deportation exercise represents one of the largest single enforcement actions involving Nigerian nationals in the United States in recent years.
Nigerian government officials have not issued an official response to the updated list. Historically, deportations from the U.S. to Nigeria are conducted in coordination with Nigerian immigration authorities and diplomatic missions.
What the Action Represents
The U.S. government described the exercise as part of its broader immigration enforcement agenda aimed at prioritizing the removal of non-citizens with criminal records.
DHS maintained that the crackdown would continue nationwide and that additional names could be added as investigations progress.
