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US adds 18 Nigerians to ‘worst-of-the-worst’ deportation list
The United States Department of Homeland Security, DHS, has expanded its deportation list to include an additional 18 Nigerians classified under its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal offenders category, raising the total number of Nigerians slated for removal to 97.
This development comes barely a week after 79 Nigerians convicted of various crimes had been earmarked for deportation by U.S. authorities.
A review of the DHS official website on Monday revealed that 18 more names had been added to the register, signaling an intensification of the ongoing enforcement exercise.
Updated DHS records show that offences linked to the newly listed individuals largely revolve around wire fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft.
In a statement accompanying the publication, the department explained that the arrests form part of a nationwide operation targeting criminal immigrants.
“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,” the statement read.
It further stated, “Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the dedicated personnel of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s mandate by implementing mass deportations, beginning with the most dangerous offenders, including the illegal aliens listed here.”
Among the Nigerians newly named are Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo, and Franklin Ibeabuchi.
Others on the list 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 updated figures reflect the Trump administration’s sustained hardline approach to immigration enforcement, with a focus on removing foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, including a growing number of Nigerians.