THE United States government has published the names and photographs of 124 Nigerians who it says will be deported over criminal convictions, placing them on what authorities have termed the “worst-of-the-worst” immigration enforcement register.
The list, published on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website on Wednesday, forms part of the immigration crackdown introduced since President Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20, 2025.
However, American authorities have not announced when the deportations will commence, nor have they confirmed whether all those named will ultimately be removed from the country.
A DHS 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 (ICE). 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 DHS website has also published photographs of those listed, alongside the offences for which they were convicted. However, the department has not provided details of the specific offences or the deportation schedule.
Extensive List of Named Individuals
Among those named on the list are 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 included 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.
Further names include 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.
Additional individuals listed include 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.
Trump’s Immigration Agenda
The latest move comes as part of the immigration enforcement measures introduced by the Trump administration following the President’s return to office. On his first day back, Mr Trump signed executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency and directed federal agencies to strengthen border security and accelerate the removal of undocumented migrants.
One of the orders, 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.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the crackdown, stating that the administration remained committed to enforcing immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records in line with President Trump’s immigration agenda.
Nigeria Under Increased Scrutiny
Nigeria has faced increased scrutiny from the Trump administration. In June, Washington imposed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening.
Official US immigration data shows that Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed crackdown began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. The US has also expanded deportation flights to countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean as enforcement continues.
Mixed Reactions
A spokesman for the Nigeria Union in the United States, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent: “While we support the removal of individuals who have committed serious crimes, we are concerned about the lack of clarity regarding the offences and the deportation process. We would urge the Nigerian community to cooperate with lawful immigration enforcement while ensuring that their rights are protected.”
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the publication of the list.
The DHS continues to maintain that officers of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been directed to step up operations across the country against non-citizens convicted of serious crimes, as the administration presses ahead with what it has described as mass deportations beginning with the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders.
