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The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has added 10 Nigerians to its “worst of the worst” register of suspected criminal offenders as the Donald Trump administration intensifies its mass deportation campaign.
The names and photographs of the Nigerians were published on the website of the US Department of Homeland Security, which said the initiative was part of Trump’s directive to prioritise the removal of foreign nationals accused of serious offences.
“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.
“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations starting with the worst of the worst including the illegal aliens you see here.”
The latest additions face allegations including wire fraud, identity theft, child cruelty, drug-related offences, sexual offences against children, conspiracy, weapons possession and aggravated assault.
The Nigerians listed are Temitope Bashiru, Ojehoro Lewis, Osemudiamen Kingsley Oziegbe, Daniel Oworen, Raymond H Ekevwo, Franklin Dikeocha, Johnson Ogunlana, Chukwuemeka Okorocha, Tunde Korede and Chukwuemeka Chineye.
According to the register, Bashiru faces allegations of wire fraud, identity theft and fraud, while Lewis is accused of cruelty towards a child.
Oziegbe and Ekevwo are listed over alleged wire fraud, while Oworen faces an allegation involving dangerous drugs. Dikeocha is listed over an alleged sexual offence against a child.
Ogunlana faces allegations of fraud and identity theft, while Okorocha is accused of wire fraud, dangerous drugs possession, weapons possession and aggravated assault. Korede is listed over an alleged conspiracy offence, while Chineye faces allegations including banking-type institutional fraud, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy.
The US authorities did not disclose when the individuals would be deported to Nigeria, and inclusion on the register reflects allegations or immigration enforcement actions rather than a judicial finding of guilt.
The register is regularly updated and contains foreign nationals from several countries. The latest development brings the number of Nigerians identified on the list to 124, according to the report, after 79 Nigerians were listed in February and the figure rose to 124 in July.
The development comes amid a broader tightening of US immigration enforcement. In August, the US said it had revoked more than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals over alleged visa violations, criminal activity or security concerns.
