The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 124 Nigerian nationals identified for deportation as part of an intensified immigration enforcement campaign targeting foreign nationals with criminal convictions.
The list, published on the agency’s official website on Wednesday, forms part of what DHS described as its updated register of the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders currently facing removal from the United States.
While the identities of those listed have been made public, US authorities did not specify when the deportation process for the affected Nigerians would begin. The department also did not disclose the specific offences committed by each individual.
According to DHS, the publication is part of ongoing efforts to prioritize the removal of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.
In a statement accompanying the release, the department said, “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).”
It added that under the leadership of the department, DHS and ICE personnel were carrying out President Donald Trump’s directive to begin mass deportations by targeting individuals considered the most serious offenders.
Among the Nigerians named on the list 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, Oriyomi Aloba, and several others.
The published register also includes 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, Omotayo Akinto and dozens more.
The latest action is part of the broader immigration agenda introduced by President Trump after returning 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 accelerate the arrest and deportation of undocumented migrants.
One of the directives, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, instructed immigration authorities to prioritize the removal of individuals considered threats to public safety and national security.
The DHS maintained that the enforcement campaign fulfills the administration’s commitment to intensify deportations, beginning with non-citizens convicted of serious criminal offences.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also defended the policy, stating that the administration remains committed to enforcing US immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
Official US immigration statistics indicate that Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed enforcement drive began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. The United States has also expanded deportation flights to several countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
Nigeria has meanwhile faced increased immigration scrutiny from Washington. In June, the US government imposed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns related to identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening procedures.
