WASHINGTON, United States — The United States Department of Homeland Security has published the names and photographs of 124 Nigerians whom it says have been arrested by immigration authorities after convictions for serious crimes.
The department included the Nigerians in an online register it describes as featuring the “worst of the worst” foreign nationals detained by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The announcement was published on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, as the administration of President Donald Trump continued an immigration crackdown, which has included expanded arrests and deportation flights.
Neither the offences attributed to the Nigerians nor the dates on which they could be removed from the United States were disclosed.
“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 department said.
“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.”
Nigerians Named by the Department
The names published by the department included, in alphabetical order, Abayomi Daramola, Abdul Akinsanya, Abiemwense Obanor, Abimbola Esan, Abraham Ola Osoko, Aderemi Akefe, Adetunji Olofinlade, Adewale Aladekoba, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Aishatu Umaru, Akeem Adeleke, Akinwale Adaramaja, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Benji Macaulay, Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Bolarinwa Salau, Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Boluwatife Afolabi, and Chibundu Anuebunwa.
Others named were Chibuzo Nwaonu, Chima Orji, Chinonso Ochie, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Cyril Odogwu, Daro Kosin, Dasola Abdulraheem, Dennis Ofuoma, Ejike Asiegbunam, Elizabeth Adeshewo, Elizabeth Miller, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Henry Idiagbonya, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Ifeanyi Okoro, Isaiah Okere, and Jelili Qudus.
The register also included Jeremiah Ehis, Joseph Ogbara, Joshua Ineh, Kamaludeen Giwa, Kenneth Unanka, Kingsley Ariegwe, Kingsley Ibhadore, Marcus Unigwe, Mkpouto Etukudoh, Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi, Olamide Adedipe, Olamide Jolayemi, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Olatunde Oladinni, Olayinka A. Jones, Oluchi Jennifer, Oludayo Adeagbo, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Olugbenga Abass, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo, Olusegun Martins and Oluwafemi Orimolade.
Oluwaseun Kassim, Oluwole Odunowo, Omotayo Akinto, Oriyomi Aloba, Oyewole Balogun, Patrick Onogwu, Peter Equere, Quazeem Adeyinka, Sakiru Ambali, Solomon Wilfred, Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Suraj Tairu, Talatu Dada, Theophilus Anwana, Toluwani Adebakin, Uche Diuno and Usman Momoh were also listed.
The department did not provide case summaries or other information explaining the criminal convictions it attributed to the individuals.
Trump Administration Expands Immigration Enforcement
Trump ordered a broad expansion of immigration enforcement after returning to the White House on January 20, 2025.
Executive orders signed on his first day declared illegal immigration a national emergency and instructed federal agencies to strengthen border controls and accelerate the removal of undocumented migrants.
One of the directives, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, called on immigration officials to prioritise removable migrants considered public-safety or national-security threats.
The Department of Homeland Security said ICE officers had been directed to increase operations across the country against non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has said the administration intends to enforce immigration laws and remove undocumented immigrants with criminal records as part of Trump’s immigration programme.
United States immigration figures cited in the announcement showed that Guatemala had received the largest number of deportees since the renewed enforcement campaign began. Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador followed.
The administration has also extended deportation flights to countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
Nigeria faced additional immigration restrictions in June, when Washington introduced partial visa limits for its citizens. The United States cited concerns involving identity management, information sharing, visa overstays and security screening.
