The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 124 Nigerians slated for deportation as part of a renewed immigration enforcement campaign targeting non-citizens with criminal convictions.
The list, published on the DHS website on Wednesday, identifies the Nigerians among individuals described by the agency as some of the most serious offenders currently in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
While the department disclosed the identities and photographs of those affected, it did not reveal the specific crimes committed by each person or provide a timeline for when the deportations would begin.
According to DHS, the action is part of a broader effort to remove undocumented migrants who have been convicted of criminal offences from the United States.
In a statement accompanying the publication, the department said the enforcement drive aligns with President Donald Trump’s directive to prioritise the removal of migrants considered threats to public safety.
“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 agency stated.
It added that DHS and ICE personnel were implementing President Trump’s mass deportation policy, beginning with undocumented migrants convicted of serious crimes.
Among the Nigerians named 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.
Others include 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.
The list also features 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.
Also listed are 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, among others on the 124-person register.
U.S. immigration authorities said everyone on the list had been convicted of serious criminal offences. However, officials did not disclose the nature of the convictions or announce when deportation proceedings would commence.
The publication comes as the Trump administration continues to expand immigration enforcement following President Trump’s return to office on January 20, 2025.
On his first day back in office, Trump signed multiple executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, strengthening border security measures and directing federal agencies to speed up 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 migrants who are eligible for removal, particularly those considered risks to public safety or national security.
DHS said the latest action reflects the administration’s commitment to delivering on Trump’s campaign pledge to carry out large-scale deportations, beginning with undocumented migrants convicted of serious crimes.
The department added that ICE officers have been instructed to intensify nationwide operations targeting non-citizens with criminal records.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also defended the policy, saying the administration remains committed to enforcing U.S. immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions in line with President Trump’s immigration agenda.
Official U.S. immigration figures show Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed enforcement campaign began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, underscoring the administration’s focus on migrants from Latin America.
The United States has also increased deportation flights to countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean as the enforcement campaign continues.
Nigeria has also come under tighter immigration measures during the Trump administration. In June, Washington introduced partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity verification, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening procedures.
