The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to deport at least 79 Nigerians convicted of various crimes and listed among its so-called “worst-of-the-worst” offenders.
Findings on DHS website on Monday showed that the Nigerians were found guilty of offences ranging from fraud and drug trafficking to assault, robbery and manslaughter.
The agency disclosed that the affected individuals were arrested as part of a nationwide enforcement drive targeting criminal immigrants across the United States.
In a statement accompanying the publication of the list, the DHS said the arrests were being carried out under a renewed deportation strategy spearheaded by the leadership of the department and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by ICE,” the statement read.
It added, “Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise to carry out mass deportations, beginning with the most dangerous offenders.”
Among the Nigerians listed for deportation are Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred and Chibundu Anuebunwa.
Others named include Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau, Oriyomi Aloba, Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada and Olatunde Oladinni.
Additional individuals on the list include Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe and Patrick Onogwu, among several others.
The development comes amid an intensified crackdown on illegal and criminal immigrants by the administration of President Donald Trump, a policy that has reportedly affected many Nigerians living in the U.S.