The United States government has announced plans to deport an additional 18 Nigerian nationals convicted of various crimes, raising the total number of Nigerians slated for removal to 97.
The latest development follows an earlier report that 79 Nigerians had already been listed for deportation as part of a broader enforcement drive by U.S. immigration authorities.
A review of records published on the website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Monday showed that 18 new names were added to what the agency described as its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register.
According to the updated data, offences linked to the newly listed individuals include wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft.
In a statement accompanying the list, the DHS said the arrests and planned removals were part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on 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 read.
It added, “Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Donald Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst.”
Among those named on the latest 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 DHS action underscores the Trump administration’s continued tough stance on illegal and criminal immigration, with foreign nationals from several countries affected, including Nigeria.
Earlier, on February 2, U.S. authorities had listed 79 Nigerians for deportation following convictions for various offences across different states.
