U.S. releases fresh names of 24 Nigerians to be deported *Full list

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers over various alleged offences, as the administration continues its immigration enforcement campaign.

According to information released by the Department, the Nigerians were arrested in different locations across the U.S over offences, including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and child cruelty.

DHS said the announcement was intended to highlight non-U.S citizens 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).

“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 stated.

The list showed that, Emmanuel Omowaiye was arrested for mail fraud in Richmond, Texas; Laurene Onwuka, impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia; Olusegun Shonekan, wire fraud in Newark, New Jersey; Olusegun Olaseni, amphetamine sale in Greencastle, Indiana; and Peter Ude, wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia.

Others include Newton Jemide, conspiracy and mail fraud in Fort Dix, New Jersey; Shedrack Umukoro, money laundering in Yazoo City, Mississippi; Olasoji Akinbode, fraud and impersonation in Kearny, New Jersey; Oluwatosin Afolabi fraud in Conroe, Texas; Alameen Adetunji Tokosi, drug possession in Chicago, Illinois; Joshua Ipoade, wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia; Michael Orji, weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering, arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin.

The rest are Ahmadu Apooyin, drug-related offence, arrested in Baltimore, Maryland; Teslim Kiriji, money laundering in Yazoo City, Mississippi;  Onomen Uduebor, identity theft in Seattle, Washington; Charles Ochi, money laundering in White Deer, Pennsylvania; Daniel Eta, wire fraud in White Deer, Pennsylvania; and Ifeanyi Ibennah, cruelty towards a child in Tampa, Florida.

The remaining offenders are Kazeem Runsewe, arrested for wire fraud in Thomson, Illinois; Fatiu Lawal, wire fraud in Lompoc, California; Justin Akubueze, money laundering in Orem, Utah; Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo,  larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property in Orlando, Florida; Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi, assault in Alden, New York; and Bright Eigbedion, arrested for money laundering in Lompoc, California.

DHS said the announcement was part of the US government’s broader immigration enforcement drive, with ICE conducting arrests across the country.The publication comes as the administration continues efforts to remove non-US citizens identified as priorities under its immigration enforcement policy.

However, the information released by DHS does not specify the final immigration status of each individual or provide details of their respective deportation proceedings. Their inclusion on the list does not, in itself, establish that they have already been deported.

Meanwhile, the federal government has evacuated another batch of 111 distressed Nigerians from South Africa amid heightened concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in the country.

The returnees, comprising 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways Flight SA060, Thursday.

A statement issued Sunday in Abuja by a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said the returnees were received by officials of the ministry, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant federal government agencies.

According to the statement, the evacuation was fully funded by the $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God to support the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

“The arrival of the returnees brings the total number of consular evacuations conducted from South Africa to fifteen (15) since the commencement of the ongoing evacuation exercise on 10th June, 2026,” the statement said.

It added that the latest evacuation brought the cumulative number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to 2,037, including 1,388 whose repatriation costs were fully covered by the federal government.

The ministry disclosed that 318 Nigerians had so far benefited from the RCCG-funded evacuation, leaving 182 more to be repatriated under the church’s commitment.

It said, “With the successful evacuation of this RCCG-funded batch, a total of 318 Nigerian nationals have had their one-way tickets funded by the Church. Therefore, 182 more nationals are expected to be repatriated under RCCG’s commitment to fund 500 one-way tickets.”

The federal government expressed appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its financial support towards the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to engaging the South African authorities and other stakeholders to address xenophobia and Afrophobia in the country.

“The federal government remains committed to engaging relevant stakeholders, including authorities of South Africa, to address Xenophobia and Afrophobia in the country, and promote the welfare, safety and dignity of Nigerians residing there,” the statement added.

The ministry advised Nigerians living in South Africa to comply with local laws, remain vigilant and prioritise their safety.

It urged them to maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance whenever necessary.