The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over offences ranging from fraud and money laundering to drug-related crimes, assault and child cruelty.

The disclosure, published on the department’s website, forms part of President Donald Trump’s administration’s ongoing immigration enforcement campaign, with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carrying out arrests across the country.

In a statement, DHS described the individuals as part of what it called the “worst of the worst” criminal non-citizens.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the department said.

DHS added that the administration was pursuing mass deportations, beginning with people it considers priorities for immigration enforcement.

The 24 Nigerians were arrested in different locations across the United States, including Texas, Virginia, New Jersey, Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, Washington, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Utah and New York.

Those named include Emmanuel Omowaiye, arrested in Richmond, Texas, over mail fraud; Laurene Onwuka, arrested in Chantilly, Virginia, over fraud and impersonation; and Olusegun Shonekan, arrested in Newark, New Jersey, over wire fraud.

Others include Olusegun Olaseni, arrested in Greencastle, Indiana, over the sale of amphetamine; Peter Ude and Joshua Ipoade, both arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, over wire fraud; and Newton Jemide, arrested in Fort Dix, New Jersey, over wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud.

The list also names Shedrack Umukoro and Teslim Kiriji, both arrested in Yazoo City, Mississippi, over money laundering, while Olasoji Akinbode was arrested in Kearny, New Jersey, over fraud and impersonation. Oluwatosin Afolabi was arrested in Conroe, Texas, over fraud.

Alameen Adetunji Tokosi was arrested in Chicago, Illinois, over drug possession, while Michael Orji, arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin, was listed for weapons-related offences, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering. Ahmadu Apooyin was arrested in Baltimore, Maryland, over a drug-related offence.

Other Nigerians on the list are Onomen Uduebor, arrested in Seattle, Washington, over identity theft; Charles Ochi and Daniel Eta, arrested in White Deer, Pennsylvania, over money laundering and wire fraud respectively; and Ifeanyi Ibennah, arrested in Tampa, Florida, over cruelty towards a child.

The remaining names are Kazeem Runsewe, arrested in Thomson, Illinois, over wire fraud; Fatiu Lawal and Bright Eigbedion, both arrested in Lompoc, California, over wire fraud and money laundering respectively; Justin Akubueze, arrested in Orem, Utah, over money laundering; Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo, arrested in Orlando, Florida, over larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property; and Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi, arrested in Alden, New York, over assault.

The latest publication follows earlier releases of Nigerians’ names and photographs by US authorities as the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement. However, the DHS announcement does not establish that all 24 individuals have been deported or specify when any removal would take place. (The Sun)