By Ochiaka Ugwu
The United States Department of Homeland Security has expanded its deportation list of Nigerians convicted of serious crimes, with an additional 18 names added to its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, making the total number of Nigerians scheduled for removal to reach 97.
This is coming barely a week after 79 Nigerians convicted of various offences in the United States had been earmarked for deportation as part of an intensified enforcement drive by U.S. immigration authorities.
It was gathered that the Department of Homeland Security, on Monday, added 18 more Nigerians to the list.
The new records indicated that the newly listed individuals were convicted largely for offences related to wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft.
An additional statement on the DHS platform noted the arrests and planned removals were part of a nationwide crackdown on criminal immigrants by U.S. authorities.
The department described the affected individuals as priority targets under its enforcement strategy.
“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.
“Under Secretary Noem’s 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”, the statement read.
Among the Nigerians newly added to the deportation list are Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo and Franklin Ibeabuchi. Others include Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Surajudeen Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Chisom Umeadi, Donald Ehie and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu.
Recall the earlier records released by the DHS had listed 79 Nigerians already marked for deportation.
Those previously named include 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 on the earlier list are Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay and Joseph Ogbara.
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