US releases new names of 24 Nigerians to be deported *Full list

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian citizens arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for various alleged crimes, as the administration continues its immigration enforcement campaign.

According to information released by the Department, the Nigerians were arrested in several locations across the United States for crimes including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and child cruelty.

DHS said the ad was intended to highlight non-U.S. citizens with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration enforcement agents.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst foreign criminals apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Under the leadership of DHS, the hard-working men and women of DHS and ICE are keeping 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 said.

The list showed that Emmanuel Omowaiye had been arrested for mail fraud in Richmond, Texas; Laurene Onwuka, impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia; Olusegun Shonekan, wire fraud in Newark, New Jersey; Olusegun Olaseni, selling amphetamines in Greencastle, Indiana; and Peter Ude, wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia.

Others include Newton Jemide, conspiracy and mail fraud in Fort Dix, New Jersey; Shedrack Umukoro, money laundering in Yazoo City, Mississippi; Olasoji Akinbode, fraud and identity theft in Kearny, New Jersey; Fraud Oluwatosin Afolabi in Conroe, Texas; Alameen Adetunji Tokosi, drug possession in Chicago, Illinois; Joshua Ipoade, wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia; Michael Orji, weapons violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering, arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin.

The others are Ahmadu Apooyin, drug offender, arrested in Baltimore, Maryland; Teslim Kiriji, money laundering in Yazoo City, Mississippi; Onomen Uduebor, identity theft in Seattle, Washington; Charles Ochi, money laundering in White Deer, Pennsylvania; Daniel Eta, wire fraud in White Deer, Pennsylvania; and Ifeanyi Ibennah, cruelty to a child in Tampa, Florida.

The other offenders are Kazeem Runsewe, arrested for wire fraud in Thomson, Illinois; Fatiu Lawal, wire fraud in Lompoc, California; Justin Akubueze, money laundering in Orem, Utah; Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo, theft, forgery and concealment of stolen property in Orlando, Florida; Babajide Oluwaseun Phaseyi, assault in Alden, New York; and Bright Eigbedion, arrested for money laundering in Lompoc, California.

DHS said the announcement was part of a broader immigration enforcement effort by the U.S. government, with ICE conducting arrests across the country. The release comes as the administration continues efforts to remove non-U.S. citizens identified as priorities under its immigration enforcement policy.

However, the information released by DHS does not specify each individual’s final immigration status or provide details on their respective deportation proceedings. Their inclusion on the list does not in itself prove that they have already been deported.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has evacuated another group of 111 distressed Nigerians from South Africa, amid growing concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in the country.

The returnees, comprising 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, arrived in Lagos aboard South African Airways flight SA060 on Thursday.

A statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said the returnees were received by officials of the ministry, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant federal government agencies.

According to the statement, the evacuation was entirely funded by the $265,854 donation made by the Redeemed Christian Church of God to support the evacuation of 500 distressed Nigerians from South Africa.

“The arrival of the returnees brings to fifteen (15) the total number of consular evacuations carried out by South Africa since the start of the ongoing evacuation exercise on 10 June 2026,” the statement read.

He added that the latest evacuation brought the overall number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa to 2,037, of which 1,388 whose repatriation costs were fully covered by the Federal Government.

The ministry revealed that 318 Nigerians have so far benefited from the RCCG-funded evacuation, leaving another 182 to be repatriated under the church’s pledge.

It reads: “With the successful evacuation of this RCCG-funded group, a total of 318 Nigerian citizens have had their one-way tickets funded by the Church. Therefore, a further 182 citizens are expected to be repatriated based on the RCCG’s commitment to fund 500 one-way tickets.”

The Federal Government has expressed appreciation to the RCCG, under the leadership of its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for its financial support in the evacuation of distressed Nigerians.

It also reiterated its commitment to engaging South African authorities and other stakeholders to address xenophobia and Afrophobia in the country.

“The Federal Government remains committed to engaging stakeholders, including the South African authorities, to address xenophobia and Afrophobia in the country and promote the well-being, security and dignity of Nigerians residing there,” the statement added.

The ministry advised Nigerians living in South Africa to respect local laws, remain vigilant and prioritize their safety.

He urged them to liaise with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg for consular assistance whenever necessary.