US adds 10 Nigerians to criminal immigration watchlist, deportation looms

The United States government has added 10 Nigerians to its “Worst of the Worst” criminal immigrant register as immigration authorities intensify enforcement against foreign nationals accused of serious offences. The latest names were published by the US Department of Homeland Security and relate to individuals arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to the latest update, the Nigerians are linked to offences ranging from wire fraud and identity theft to drug-related crimes, child-related offences, conspiracy and weapons violations. The 10 Nigerians listed are Temitope Bashua, Ojehoro Lewis, Osemudiamen Kingsley Oziegbe, Daniel Oworen, Raymond H. Ekevwo, Franklin Dikeocha, Johnson Ogunlana, Chukwuemeka Okorocha, Tunde Korede and Chukwuemeka Chinye. Bashua, who is listed in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, is associated with wire fraud, identity theft and fraud. Lewis, based in Conroe, Texas, is listed for cruelty toward a child, while Oziegbe, in Louisville, Kentucky, is associated with wire fraud. Oworen, also in Conroe, is listed for dangerous drugs, while Ekevwo, in Oxford, Wisconsin, is linked to wire fraud. Dikeocha, listed in Dallas, Texas, is associated with a child-related sex offence involving fondling. Ogunlana, based in White Deer, Pennsylvania, is listed for fraud and identity theft. Okorocha, in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, faces allegations including wire fraud, dangerous drugs, possession of a weapon and aggravated assault involving a non-family gun. Korede, also in Allenwood, is listed for conspiracy, while Chinye, based in Pollock, Louisiana, is associated with larceny from a banking-type institution, fraud, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy. The DHS created the “Worst of the Worst” register to publicly highlight criminal immigrants arrested by ICE. The agency says the initiative forms part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement efforts, with authorities prioritising individuals accused of serious criminal offences. The latest publication comes after DHS released another list in July containing 124 Nigerians arrested by ICE. The 10 Nigerians in the latest update were not included in that earlier list, according to PUNCH. However, being included on the latest register does not mean the 10 Nigerians have already been deported. PUNCH reported that DHS did not provide specific deportation dates or a timeline for their removal. The latest development nevertheless signals continued scrutiny of Nigerians living in the United States as American immigration authorities expand efforts to identify and remove foreign nationals with criminal records or immigration violations. The cases and any subsequent deportation proceedings are expected to follow the relevant US immigration and legal processes.