The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 124 Nigerians identified for deportation as part of its ongoing immigration enforcement operations targeting non-citizens convicted of serious criminal offences.
The list was published on the DHS website on Wednesday, with the agency describing those named as part of its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register.
Although the identities and photographs of the affected individuals have been made public, US authorities did not disclose when the deportations would commence or provide specific details of the offences committed by each person.
In a statement, the DHS said the exercise forms part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy under President Donald Trump’s administration.
“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).
“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,” the agency stated.
The list includes Nigerians identified as 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 and Oriyomi Aloba, among many others.
According to the department, the deportations are part of an intensified nationwide operation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting removable non-citizens with criminal convictions considered to pose threats to public safety and national security.
The latest development follows a series of executive orders signed by President Trump upon his return to office on January 20, 2025. One of the directives, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, instructed federal immigration agencies to accelerate the arrest and removal of undocumented migrants, with priority given to individuals convicted of serious crimes.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has maintained that the administration remains committed to enforcing immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records in line with the President’s immigration agenda.
Official US immigration statistics indicate that Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador have recorded the highest numbers of deportees since the renewed crackdown began. However, immigration enforcement has since expanded to include countries 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 relating to identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening.
The DHS has not indicated when the listed Nigerians will be deported, while further details regarding individual cases are yet to be released.