By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Fresh anxiety has swept through many Nigerian families after the United States placed 124 Nigerians on its updated “Worst of the Worst” deportation register as President Donald Trump intensifies immigration enforcement across the country.
Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday, the register identifies foreign nationals arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who are considered priority candidates for deportation because of criminal convictions.
Although the agency released the names and photographs of those listed, it withheld details of the individual offences and gave no timeline for when deportations would begin.
The uncertainty has left many affected families in both Nigeria and the United States waiting for further information on the fate of their loved ones.
Explaining the publication, the DHS said the exercise reflects the administration’s commitment to removing undocumented migrants convicted of serious crimes.
“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),” the agency stated on its website.
According to the department, immigration officers have been directed to begin enforcement with individuals regarded as posing the greatest threat to public safety.
Among the Nigerians identified are 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.
Others include Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay, Joseph Ogbara, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi and Omotayo Akinto.
Also listed are Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru, Henry Idiagbonya, Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba and Akeem Adeleke.
The publication further identified Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Abiemwense Obanor, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Abimbola Esan, Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Adetunji Olofinlade, Abdul Akinsanya, Elizabeth Adeshewo, Dennis Ofuoma, Quazeem Adeyinka, Ifeanyi Okoro, Oluwaseun Kassim, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo, Abraham Ola Osoko, Oluchi Jennifer and Chibuzo Nwaonu, among other Nigerians on the updated register.
The latest publication forms part of the Trump administration’s expanded immigration enforcement policy since the president returned to office on January 20, 2025.
President Trump has signed executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, strengthening border security and directing federal agencies to speed up the arrest and removal of undocumented migrants, since resuming office.
One of the directives, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, instructs immigration authorities to prioritise the arrest and deportation of removable migrants considered threats to public safety and national security.
Defending the policy, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration remains committed to enforcing immigration laws by removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records in line with President Trump’s immigration agenda.
According to available U.S. immigration data, Guatemala, a Central American country, has recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed crackdown began, followed by Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador.
Authorities have also widened deportation flights to countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, bringing more nationalities under the ongoing enforcement exercise.
Nigeria has equally come under increased scrutiny in recent months.
In June, Washington imposed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening.
Despite releasing the updated register, the DHS has not disclosed when deportation proceedings involving the Nigerians will commence or provided details of the offences linked to each individual.
For now, the publication of the “Worst of the Worst” register has heightened concerns among affected families as they await the next phase of the U.S. government’s immigration crackdown.
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