The United States government has added 18 Nigerians to its deportation list, bringing the total number of Nigerian nationals slated for removal to 97, according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The update, published on the DHS website and seen on Tuesday, follows an earlier listing of 79 Nigerians identified for deportation. The agency said the arrests were carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials as part of a coordinated enforcement operation across multiple U.S. states.
DHS explained that the latest additions were made under an expanded nationwide initiative targeting immigrants convicted of serious criminal offences, which it described as the “worst-of-the-worst” criminal immigrants programme.
According to the department, the alleged offences linked to the newly listed individuals include wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft, crimes it said pose significant financial and security risks.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the statement said. “Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the 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.”
The 18 Nigerians named in the latest list include Oluwaseyanu Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Ojo, Franklin Ibeabuchi, Alex Ogunshakin and Joshua Ineh. Others are Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Umeadi, Donald Ehie and Chukwudi Kalu.
DHS added that deportation proceedings would be carried out immediately in line with U.S. immigration laws.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, the U.S. government has intensified enforcement of its immigration policies, with a focus on the removal of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.
