The United States authorities have disclosed that no fewer than 130 Nigerian nationals are to be deported following their convictions for various criminal offences, including advance fee fraud, illegal possession of firearms, drug-related crimes and assault.
The development was contained in an official statement and accompanying document published on the website of the Department of Homeland Security, and sighted by TVC News on Friday.
According to the document titled “Worst of the Worst”, the deportation forms part of the immigration enforcement policy under former President Donald Trump, aimed at removing undocumented migrants with criminal records from the United States.
The statement noted that the action is being implemented by operatives of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the supervision of the DHS.
It read in part, “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 DHS leadership, the dedicated personnel of DHS and ICE are fulfilling the President’s directive by carrying out mass deportations, beginning with the most serious offenders, including those listed here.”
The published list includes several Nigerians identified as having been convicted of different crimes. Among them are 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 named are Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay and Joseph Ogbara.
The list further features Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi and Omotayo Akinto.
Also included are Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru and Henry Idiagbonya.
Additional names listed are Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba and Akeem Adeleke.
The document also identified Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Abiemwense Obanor, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Abimbola Esan, Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Adetunji Olofinlade, Abdul Akinsanya, Elizabeth Adeshewo, Dennis Ofuoma, Quazeem Adeyinka, Ifeanyi Okoro, Oluwaseun Kassim, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo, Abraham Ola Osoko, Oluchi Jennifer and Chibuzo Nwaonu among those slated for deportation.
The US authorities stated that the deportation exercise would be carried out in line with existing immigration laws and enforcement priorities targeting non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.