The US Department of Homeland Security has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested in connection with alleged offences ranging from fraud and money laundering to drug, weapons and assault-related crimes, as the administration presses ahead with its immigration enforcement and removal campaign.
Key takeaways
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained the 24 individuals in locations across the United States.
- The cited allegations include wire and mail fraud, identity theft, money laundering, drug offences, forgery and assault.
- DHS described the arrests as part of its focus on non-US citizens with criminal records.
- The agency did not disclose each person’s final immigration position or the status of any deportation case.
Arrests span multiple states and alleged offences
DHS said ICE personnel made the arrests across the country. The department framed the announcement as highlighting non-citizens with criminal histories taken into custody by immigration enforcement authorities.
“The US Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” DHS said.
The department said DHS and ICE staff were implementing President Trump’s mass-deportation pledge, beginning with those it characterized as the most serious offenders, including the individuals named in the release.
The DHS list identifies the Nigerian nationals, the alleged offences associated with them and the places where they were arrested:
- Emmanuel Omowaiye — alleged mail fraud; arrested in Richmond, Texas.
- Laurene Onwuka — alleged fraud and impersonation; arrested in Chantilly, Virginia.
- Olusegun Shonekan — alleged wire fraud; arrested in Newark, New Jersey.
- Olusegun Olaseni — alleged amphetamine sale; arrested in Greencastle, Indiana.
- Peter Ude — alleged wire fraud; arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Newton Jemide — alleged wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; arrested in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
- Shedrack Umukoro — alleged money laundering; arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Olasoji Akinbode — alleged fraud and impersonation; arrested in Kearny, New Jersey.
- Oluwatosin Afolabi — alleged fraud; arrested in Conroe, Texas.
- Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — alleged drug possession; arrested in Chicago, Illinois.
- Joshua Ipoade — alleged wire fraud; arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Michael Orji — alleged weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin.
- Ahmadu Apooyin — alleged drug-related offence; arrested in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Teslim Kiriji — alleged money laundering; arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
- Onomen Uduebor — alleged identity theft; arrested in Seattle, Washington.
- Charles Ochi — alleged money laundering; arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Daniel Eta — alleged wire fraud; arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
- Ifeanyi Ibennah — alleged cruelty towards a child; arrested in Tampa, Florida.
- Kazeem Runsewe — alleged wire fraud; arrested in Thomson, Illinois.
- Fatiu Lawal — alleged wire fraud; arrested in Lompoc, California.
- Justin Akubueze — alleged money laundering; arrested in Orem, Utah.
- Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — alleged larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; arrested in Orlando, Florida.
- Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — alleged assault; arrested in Alden, New York.
- Bright Eigbedion — alleged money laundering; arrested in Lompoc, California.
Part of wider immigration enforcement drive
DHS said the release forms part of a broader nationwide enforcement operation, with ICE continuing to make arrests throughout the US. The administration is pursuing the removal of non-US citizens designated as priorities under its immigration enforcement policy.
However, the department’s publication does not set out the ultimate immigration status of any of the 24 individuals or provide details on their respective removal proceedings. Being included in the DHS list does not establish that any of them has already been deported.
