The United States government has announced plans to deport 97 Nigerians over alleged immigration and criminal offences, following a nationwide crackdown by immigration authorities.
According to a statement released by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), an additional 18 Nigerians have been added to an earlier list of 79 individuals, bringing the total number of Nigerians facing deportation to 97.
The DHS explained that the arrests were carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials as part of a coordinated enforcement operation across several US states. The operation, described as the “worst-of-the-worst” programme, targets immigrants convicted of serious crimes.
The agency said the newly listed individuals are allegedly linked to offences such as wire fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft, which it described as posing serious financial and security risks to the United States.
In the statement, the DHS said the enforcement drive is aimed at fulfilling the US government’s commitment to remove criminal immigrants from the country.
The 18 Nigerians newly listed for deportation include Oluwaseyanu Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Ojo, Franklin Ibeabuchi, Alex Ogunshakin, and Joshua Ineh.
Others are Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Umeadi, Donald Ehie, and Chukwudi Kalu.
The DHS added that the deportation process would be carried out immediately in line with US immigration laws.
