|By Chinwendu Nwani
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has intensified its immigration crackdown, adding 18 more Nigerians to its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal offenders list, pushing the total number of Nigerians slated for deportation to 97.
The latest action comes barely a week after U.S. authorities identified 79 Nigerians convicted of various crimes for removal, signalling an accelerated enforcement drive under the current immigration policy.
A review of the DHS official website on Monday showed that the new names were recently uploaded, underscoring what officials described as a nationwide operation targeting criminal immigrants. Updated records indicate that most of the newly listed Nigerians are linked to offences such as wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft.
In a statement accompanying the update, DHS said the arrests were part of a coordinated effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to remove high-risk offenders from the country.
“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 department stated.
DHS further stressed that the exercise aligns with President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. “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,” the statement added.
Among the Nigerians newly named are Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo and Franklin Ibeabuchi.
Others 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 expanded list reinforces the Trump administration’s hardline stance on immigration, with renewed emphasis on expelling foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, including a growing number of Nigerians.
