The United States has released a fresh deportation list that includes 124 Nigerians identified for removal as part of its intensified immigration enforcement campaign.
The disclosure was made in a statement published on the website of the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.
According to the department, the affected Nigerians are among those placed on its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register.
Although the agency published the names and photographs of those listed, it did not indicate when the deportation process would begin.
US immigration authorities said the action forms part of ongoing enforcement efforts, maintaining that those named had been convicted of serious offences. However, officials did not provide details of the specific crimes or a timeline for their deportation.
The statement read, “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst – including the illegal aliens you see here.”
The department’s published list included Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Mkpouto Etukudoh, Marcus Unigwe, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau and Oriyomi Aloba.
Also named were Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, Joseph Ogbara, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi and Omotayo Akinto.
Others listed are Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru, Henry Idiagbonya, Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba and Akeem Adeleke.
The list further featured Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Abiemwense Obanor, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Abimbola Esan, Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Adetunji Olofinlade, Abdul Akinsanya, Elizabeth Adeshewo, Dennis Ofuoma, Quazeem Adeyinka, Ifeanyi Okoro, Oluwaseun Kassim, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo, Abraham Ola Osoko, Oluchi Jennifer and Chibuzo Nwaonu.
The latest move comes amid the Trump administration’s expanded immigration enforcement drive following President Donald Trump’s return to office on January 20, 2025.
On his first day back in office, Trump signed multiple executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency while directing federal agencies to strengthen border security and speed up the removal of undocumented migrants.
One of the directives, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, instructed immigration authorities to prioritise the arrest and deportation of removable migrants, particularly those considered threats to public safety and national security.
Explaining the policy, the DHS said the administration was fulfilling Trump’s campaign pledge to implement mass deportations, beginning with individuals it described as the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders.
The department added that officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement had been instructed to step up operations nationwide targeting non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also defended the enforcement campaign, saying the administration remained committed to implementing immigration laws and deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions in line with President Trump’s immigration agenda.
Official US immigration figures show that Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed crackdown began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, highlighting the administration’s continued focus on migrants from Latin America.
The United States has also expanded deportation flights to several countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean as enforcement operations continue.
Nigeria has likewise faced increased attention from the Trump administration. In June, Washington introduced partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening.
