The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 124 Nigerians identified for deportation as part of an intensified immigration enforcement campaign targeting non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.
The list, released on the DHS website on Wednesday, identifies the Nigerians among individuals the department described as the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders currently in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Although the department made public the names and photographs of those listed, it did not disclose the specific offences committed by each individual or indicate when the deportations would begin.
According to the DHS, the move forms part of the administration’s broader immigration enforcement strategy aimed at removing undocumented migrants with criminal convictions from the United States.
In a statement accompanying the publication, the department said the operation was in line with President Donald Trump’s directive to prioritise the deportation of migrants considered threats to public safety.
“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),” the statement said.
It added, “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.”
Among the Nigerians listed 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 includes 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.
Others named 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 list.
U.S. immigration authorities said those identified had all been convicted of serious criminal offences, but declined to provide details of the individual convictions or specify the schedule for their removal from the country.
The publication comes amid an expanded immigration crackdown introduced by the administration of President Donald Trump following his 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, directing federal agencies to tighten border security and accelerate the removal of undocumented migrants.
One of the executive 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.
The DHS said the latest enforcement action demonstrates the administration’s commitment to fulfilling Trump’s campaign promise of carrying out large-scale deportations, beginning with migrants convicted of serious crimes.
The department added that ICE officers had been directed to intensify nationwide operations targeting non-citizens with criminal records.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also defended the policy, maintaining that the administration remains committed to enforcing U.S. immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions in accordance with President Trump’s immigration agenda.
Official U.S. immigration data show that Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed enforcement campaign began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, reflecting the administration’s focus on migrants from Latin America.
The United States has also expanded deportation flights to countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean as enforcement operations continue.
Nigeria has similarly faced increased immigration scrutiny under 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.
