The US government published names and photos of 24 Nigerians arrested by ICE over fraud, drugs, and money laundering crimes.
The United States Department of Homeland Security, known as DHS, has officially published the full names, photographs, and criminal charges of 24 Nigerian citizens currently held in custody by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly called ICE.
The official announcement was released by American federal authorities on Sunday, October 11, 2026, as part of President Donald Trump’s nationwide mass deportation crackdown aimed at removing non-United States citizens with criminal records from American cities and states.
According to federal court records and immigration files released by the government, the arrested individuals face serious criminal allegations ranging from online wire fraud, mail fraud, bank scams, and identity theft to money laundering, drug distribution, illegal weapons possession, physical assault, and child cruelty.
American law enforcement agencies carried out the coordinated arrests across several states, including Texas, Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Washington, California, Utah, and Florida.
Explaining the main government objective behind publishing the identities and photographs of the detained foreign nationals, the official statement from the Department of Homeland Security stated: “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration.”
The department added that publishing the details forms part of a wider law enforcement effort to inform the public about ongoing immigration enforcement operations across the country.
Clarifying the purpose of the ongoing nationwide operations carried out by immigration officers, DHS added: “DHS said the publication was intended to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records who had been apprehended by immigration enforcement officers.”
See Also: Nigerian Tech Recruiter Arrested In Canada Over Human Trafficking And Sex Offenses
The official criminal list released by the United States government identifies all 24 Nigerian nationals alongside their specific charges and arrest locations across the country:
Emmanuel Omowaiye — mail fraud, arrested in Richmond, Texas.
Laurene Onwuka — fraud and impersonation, arrested in Chantilly, Virginia.
Olusegun Shonekan — wire fraud, arrested in Newark, New Jersey.
Olusegun Olaseni — amphetamine sale, arrested in Greencastle, Indiana.
Peter Ude — wire fraud, arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
Newton Jemide — wire fraud, conspiracy, and mail fraud, arrested in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
Shedrack Umukoro — money laundering, arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
Olasoji Akinbode — fraud and impersonation, arrested in Kearny, New Jersey.
Oluwatosin Afolabi — fraud, arrested in Conroe, Texas.
Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — drug possession, arrested in Chicago, Illinois.
Joshua Ipoade — wire fraud, arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
Michael Orji — weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering, arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin.
Ahmadu Apooyin — drug-related offence, arrested in Baltimore, Maryland.
Teslim Kiriji — money laundering, arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
Onomen Uduebor — identity theft, arrested in Seattle, Washington.
Charles Ochi — money laundering, arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
Daniel Eta — wire fraud, arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
Ifeanyi Ibennah — cruelty towards a child, arrested in Tampa, Florida.
Kazeem Runsewe — wire fraud, arrested in Thomson, Illinois.
Fatiu Lawal — wire fraud, arrested in Lompoc, California.
Justin Akubueze — money laundering, arrested in Orem, Utah.
Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property, arrested in Orlando, Florida.
Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — assault, arrested in Alden, New York.
Bright Eigbedion — money laundering, arrested in Lompoc, California.
United States authorities noted that inclusion on the list shows that these individuals have been arrested and processed for immigration removal, though final court deportation orders will depend on individual legal hearings.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
