The United States Department of Homeland Security has added 18 more Nigerians to its deportation list, raising the total number of Nigerians slated for removal over criminal convictions to 97.
The latest development comes barely a week after it was reported that 79 Nigerians convicted of various offences had been pencilled down for deportation by U.S. authorities.
Checks on the DHS website revealed that additional names had been included on what the department described as its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, signalling a widening of the enforcement exercise.
According to the updated records, offences linked to the newly listed individuals include wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft, among others.
A statement accompanying the publication said the arrests and planned removals were part of a nationwide clampdown on criminal immigrants by U.S. law enforcement agencies.
“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,” the statement read.
It added, “Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise by carrying out mass deportations, beginning with the most dangerous offenders, including the illegal aliens listed here.”
Those named in the newly updated list include Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo and Franklin Ibeabuchi.
Others are 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.
The development underscored the continued hardline posture of the Trump administration on illegal and criminal immigrants, with several foreign nationals, including Nigerians, affected by the policy.
Prompt News had earlier reported on February 2 that 79 Nigerians were already on the deportation list.
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 listed at the time are Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay and Joseph Ogbara.