US Publishes Names, Photos of 124 Nigerians on Deportation List Over Criminal Convictions

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 124 Nigerian nationals listed for deportation as part of an intensified immigration enforcement campaign targeting non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.

The disclosure was made in a statement released on the DHS website on Wednesday, where the agency described those listed as belonging to its “worst-of-the-worst” category of criminal offenders arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Although the identities of the affected Nigerians have been made public, U.S. authorities did not disclose when the deportations would commence or provide details of the specific offences for which the individuals were convicted.

According to the DHS, the deportation exercise forms part of a broader nationwide crackdown on criminal non-citizens.

“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 (ICE),” the statement said.

It added that under the department’s leadership, DHS and ICE personnel were carrying out President Donald Trump’s directive to implement mass deportations, beginning with individuals considered the most serious offenders.

The list includes 124 Nigerians, among them 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, Oriyomi Aloba.”
Others are 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.
“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.
“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 action is part of the sweeping immigration enforcement measures introduced following President Trump’s return to office on January 20, 2025.

On his first day back in office, Trump signed a series of executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency and directing federal agencies to strengthen border security while accelerating the arrest and removal of undocumented migrants.

One of the executive orders, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, instructed immigration authorities to prioritise the detention and deportation of removable migrants, particularly those considered threats to public safety and national security.

Defending the policy, the DHS said the administration was fulfilling President Trump’s campaign pledge to intensify immigration enforcement by focusing first on convicted criminal offenders. The department also noted that ICE officers had been directed to expand enforcement operations across the United States.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also defended the crackdown, stating that the administration remains committed to enforcing U.S. immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

Official U.S. immigration statistics show that Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed enforcement campaign began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. The United States has also expanded deportation flights to several countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

Nigeria has faced increased immigration scrutiny in recent months. In June, Washington announced partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening procedures.