The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified 124 Nigerians among foreign nationals slated for deportation over criminal convictions, marking the latest phase of President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement policy targeting undocumented migrants with criminal records.
The names and photographs of the affected Nigerians were published on the DHS website on Wednesday under what the agency described as its updated register of the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The list contains 124 Nigerians, including Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Mkpouto Etukudoh, Marcus Unigwe, Olaniyi Ojikutu, 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, Oriyomi Aloba, Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, Joseph Ogbara, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi, Omotayo Akinto and several others.
Also named are Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru, Henry Idiagbonya, Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba, Akeem Adeleke, 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.
The DHS said the action underscored its resolve to fulfil the administration’s immigration agenda.
“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 (ICE),” the agency said.
It added that DHS and ICE personnel were “fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst.”
Trump, who returned to the White House on January 20, 2025, signed a series of executive orders on his first day in office declaring illegal immigration a national emergency and directing federal agencies to tighten border controls and accelerate the removal of undocumented migrants.
One of the directives, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” specifically ordered immigration authorities to prioritise the arrest and deportation of migrants considered threats to public safety and national security.
The White House has consistently defended the policy. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently reiterated that the administration would continue enforcing US immigration laws by removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records, describing the campaign as a central pillar of President Trump’s immigration agenda.
Official US immigration data show that Guatemala has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed enforcement campaign began, followed by Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador. Deportation flights have also been expanded to destinations across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Nigeria has also faced increased immigration scrutiny in recent months. In June, the United States imposed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates, and security screening.
