The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has intensified its current immigration crackdown, adding 18 more Nigerians to its high-priority “worst-of-the-worst” deportation list. This latest update, released on Monday, brings the total number of Nigerians targeted for immediate removal in this specific wave to 97.
This expansion follows an announcement just last week involving 79 Nigerians who were flagged for deportation after being convicted of various serious offenses. The 18 newly added individuals are primarily associated with financial crimes, specifically wire fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft.
Under the leadership of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the agency has shifted its focus toward a “mass deportation” strategy that prioritizes the removal of the most dangerous criminal offenders first. In a statement regarding the ongoing operations, the DHS noted that these arrests are part of a nationwide initiative by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure that non-citizens with significant criminal backgrounds are removed from the country.
The newly listed individuals include Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, and Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo. Also named are Franklin Ibeabuchi, 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 government’s stance remains firm: the focus is on those whose criminal activities pose a direct threat to public safety and the economy. As these enforcement operations continue, they reflect a broader administrative policy aimed at strictly enforcing immigration laws against individuals involved in violent crimes, drug trafficking, and large-scale fraud.
