US to Deport 97 Nigerians, Releases List With Full Names in Expanded Crackdown
- The United States has expanded its deportation list to include 18 Nigerians, raising the total number of individuals set for removal to 97
- Officials said the arrests were part of a crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeting immigrants convicted of serious crimes
- The Department of Homeland Security said the operation was carried out under its 'worst-of-the-worst' programme, focusing on varying offences
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that 18 Nigerians had been added to its deportation list, bringing the total number of individuals set for removal to 97.
The update was contained in a statement published on the DHS website on February 10, 2026.
Source: Twitter
US carries out immigration enforcement operation
According to the DHS, the arrests formed part of a coordinated crackdown across several U.S. states led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
The agency explained that the new names were included under its expanded nationwide enforcement operation targeting immigrants convicted of serious crimes.
The DHS said the move was carried out under what it described as its 'worst-of-the-worst' criminal immigrants programme.
It claimed that the alleged offences linked to the newly listed Nigerians included wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft, which posed significant financial and security risks.
In its statement, the department noted:
"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 Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership, the 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.'
Names on latest US deportation list
The 18 Nigerians named are: Oluwaseyanu Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Ojo, Franklin Ibeabuchi, Alex Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Umeadi, Donald Ehie, and Chukwudi Kalu.
The DHS confirmed that the deportation process would be carried out immediately in line with US immigration laws.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, the US government has enforced a strict alien immigration policy.
Source: Getty Images
14 Ghanaian US deportees sent to Gambia
Legit.ng earlier reported that a group of 14 West Africans deported from the United States to Ghana had reportedly been sent to their respective home countries, according to a Ghanaian government spokesman.
Addressing a press briefing at the time, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the group, comprising 13 Nigerians and one Gambian, were said to have departed the country.
He firmly rejected claims that the country’s decision to accept the deportees amounted to an endorsement of US President Donald Trump’s migration policies, saying this was done for humanitarian reasons.
Nigeria’s government expressed concern over the deportation process, stating it had not been briefed about its nationals being sent to Ghana, and questioned the process's legality and transparency.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
