The allegations associated with their cases include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related offences, identity theft, forgery, weapons violations, assault and cruelty towards a child.

In announcing the arrests, DHS described the individuals as part of a group of non-US citizens with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration authorities.

“The US Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the department said.

It added that DHS and ICE were carrying out President Trump’s mass deportation policy, prioritising individuals identified by the administration as high-priority targets.

Full list of 24 Nigerians named by DHS

The department published the names, alleged offences and locations where the individuals were arrested as follows:

1. Emmanuel Omowaiye — Mail fraud; Richmond, Texas.
2. Laurene Onwuka — Fraud and impersonation; Chantilly, Virginia.
3. Olusegun Shonekan — Wire fraud; Newark, New Jersey.
4. Olusegun Olaseni — Amphetamine sale; Greencastle, Indiana.
5. Peter Ude — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
6. Newton Jemide — Wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud; Fort Dix, New Jersey.
7. Shedrack Umukoro — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
8. Olasoji Akinbode — Fraud and impersonation; Kearny, New Jersey.
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi — Fraud; Conroe, Texas.
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — Drug possession; Chicago, Illinois.
11. Joshua Ipoade — Wire fraud; Atlanta, Georgia.
12. Michael Orji — Weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering; Oxford, Wisconsin.
13. Ahmadu Apooyin — Drug-related offence; Baltimore, Maryland.
14. Teslim Kiriji — Money laundering; Yazoo City, Mississippi.
15. Onomen Uduebor — Identity theft; Seattle, Washington.
16. Charles Ochi — Money laundering; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
17. Daniel Eta — Wire fraud; White Deer, Pennsylvania.
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah — Cruelty towards a child; Tampa, Florida.
19. Kazeem Runsewe — Wire fraud; Thomson, Illinois.
20. Fatiu Lawal — Wire fraud; Lompoc, California.
21. Justin Akubueze — Money laundering; Orem, Utah.
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — Larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; Orlando, Florida.
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — Assault; Alden, New York.
24. Bright Eigbedion — Money laundering; Lompoc, California.

Deportation status unclear

DHS said the publication formed part of the federal government’s broader immigration enforcement efforts, with ICE conducting arrests across the United States.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration pursues the removal of non-US citizens considered priorities under its immigration policy.

However, the information released by DHS did not establish the final immigration status of each individual or provide details of their respective deportation proceedings.

It also did not confirm that all 24 Nigerians had already been deported. Their inclusion on the list should therefore not be interpreted as confirmation that they have been removed from the United States.

The department’s announcement identified the allegations associated with the individuals but did not provide detailed accounts of the cases or their outcomes.