The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has added 18 more Nigerians to its deportation register under the “worst-of-the-worst” category, bringing the total number of Nigerians scheduled for removal to 97.
The latest development comes barely a week after U.S. authorities listed 79 Nigerians convicted of various offenses for deportation.
A check of the DHS official website on Monday showed that the new names had been included, indicating a tightening of ongoing immigration enforcement efforts.
According to updated DHS records, most of the offenses associated with the newly listed individuals involve wire fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft.
In a statement released alongside the update, the department said the arrests were 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 said.
It added that “under Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS and ICE personnel are carrying out President Trump’s directive by implementing mass deportations, starting with the most dangerous offenders, including the illegal aliens listed here.”
Among the Nigerians recently added to the list 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 updated figures underscore the Trump administration’s continued hardline stance on immigration, with a renewed focus on deporting foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, including an increasing number of Nigerians.
