Twenty-four Nigerian nationals have been named in a United States immigration enforcement disclosure identifying foreign nationals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over alleged criminal offences.
According to The Next Edition, the Nigerians were arrested in different locations across the United States over allegations ranging from financial crimes and drug-related offences to identity theft, assault, weapons violations and child cruelty.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released their names and photographs as part of its communication on immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Among those named, Michael Orji was listed in connection with several alleged offences, including fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, money laundering, weapons violations and false citizenship claims. Other individuals were listed over allegations involving mail fraud, drug possession, forgery and concealing stolen property.
The 24 Nigerians and the offences and locations associated with their reported arrests are listed below:
1. Emmanuel Omowaiye — Mail fraud; Richmond, Texas.
2. Laurene Onwuka — Fraud and impersonation; Chantilly, Virginia.
3. Olusegun Shonekan — Wire fraud; Newark, New Jersey.
4. Olusegun Olaseni — Amphetamine sale; Greencastle, Indiana.
5. Peter Ude — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
6. Newton Jemide — Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; Fort Dix, New Jersey.
7. Shedrack Umukoro — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
8. Olasoji Akinbode — Fraud and impersonation; Kearny, New Jersey.
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi — Fraud; Conroe, Texas.
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — Drug possession; Chicago, Illinois.
11. Joshua Ipoade — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
12. Michael Orji — Weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; Oxford, Wisconsin.
13. Ahmadu Apooyin — Drug-related offence; Baltimore, Maryland.
14. Teslim Kiriji — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
15. Onomen Uduebor — Identity theft; Seattle, Washington.
16. Charles Ochi — Money laundering; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
17. Daniel Eta — Wire fraud; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah — Child cruelty; Tampa, Florida.
19. Kazeem Runsewe — Wire fraud; Thomson, Illinois.
20. Fatiu Lawal — Wire fraud; Lompoc, California.
21. Justin Akubueze — Money laundering; Orem, Utah.
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; Orlando, Florida.
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — Assault; Alden, New York.
24. Bright Eigbedion — Money laundering; Lompoc, California.
The DHS disclosure does not, by itself, establish that all the individuals have been convicted of the offences listed or that deportation orders have been issued against them. Details of the outcome of their individual criminal and immigration cases were not provided in the information cited by The Next Edition.
The disclosure comes amid the Trump administration’s continued efforts to enforce US immigration laws and remove non-citizens targeted under its immigration policies.
