U.S. Names 24 Nigerians Arrested for Fraud, Money Laundering in Immigration Crackdown

The United States Department of Homeland Security has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerian nationals arrested by immigration authorities over various criminal offences, as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration enforcement campaign.

The individuals were arrested by officers of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in different locations across the country, according to information released by DHS on Thursday.

The offences listed against them include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and child cruelty.

Announcing the arrests, DHS said it was highlighting non-U.S. citizens with criminal records apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.

“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 department 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 those named was Emmanuel Omowaiye, arrested in Richmond, Texas, over mail fraud. Laurene Onwuka was arrested in Chantilly, Virginia, over fraud and impersonation, while Olusegun Shonekan was arrested in Newark, New Jersey, over wire fraud.

Others include Olusegun Olaseni, arrested in Greencastle, Indiana, over the sale of amphetamine; Peter Ude and Joshua Ipoade, both arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, over wire fraud; and Newton Jemide, arrested in Fort Dix, New Jersey, over wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud.

Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji were both arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi, over money laundering, while Olasoji Akinbode was arrested in Kearny, New Jersey, over fraud and impersonation. Oluwatosin Afolabi was arrested in Conroe, Texas, over fraud.

Alameen Adetunji Tokosi was arrested in Chicago, Illinois, over drug possession, while Michael Orji, arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin, was listed for weapons violations, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering. Ahmadu Apooyin was arrested in Baltimore, Maryland, over a drug-related offence.

The list also named Onomen Uduebor, arrested in Seattle, Washington, over identity theft; Charles Ochi and Daniel Eta, both arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania, over money laundering and wire fraud respectively; and Ifeanyi Ibennah, arrested in Tampa, Florida, over cruelty towards a child.

Other Nigerians named were Kazeem Runsewe, arrested in Thomson, Illinois, over wire fraud; Fatiu Lawal, arrested in Lompoc, California, over wire fraud; Justin Akubueze, arrested in Orem, Utah, over money laundering; and Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo, arrested in Orlando, Florida, over larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property.

The remaining individuals were Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi, arrested in Alden, New York, over assault, and Bright Eigbedion, arrested in Lompoc, California, over money laundering.

The DHS announcement does not specify the final immigration status of each individual or provide details of their respective deportation proceedings.

Their inclusion on the list does not, by itself, establish that they have already been deported or that every offence listed resulted in a criminal conviction.