The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names, mugshots, arrest locations, and criminal profiles of 17 Nigerian nationals convicted of money laundering, marking them as priorities for deportation under the Trump administration's expanded immigration enforcement campaign. The individuals are listed in the government's 'Worst of the Worst' (WOW) criminal register, which currently flags 124 Nigerians for removal.
Details of the Deportation List
The 17 Nigerians were arrested across various US states, including Wisconsin, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Georgia, Utah, Mississippi, New Jersey, Alabama, California, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Their charges stem from serious financial crimes involving money laundering. The DHS confirmed that these individuals remain on the deportation list but has not disclosed specific timelines for their repatriation to Nigeria.
Among those listed are Patrick Temitope Edah (arrested in Oxford, Wisconsin), Dumor Baribe (Dallas, Texas), Marcus Unigwe (Oberlin, Louisiana), Bameyi Omale (Thomson, Illinois), Benjamin Ifebajo (Atlanta, Georgia), and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu (Salt Lake City, Utah). Others include Toluwani Adebakin (Yazoo City, Mississippi), Ayibatonye Bienzigha (Newark, New Jersey), Uche Diuno (Oakdale, Louisiana), Dasola Abdulraheem (Aliceville, Alabama), Kingsley Ibhadore (Anthony, Texas), Daro Kosin (Victorville, California), Abiemwense Obanor (Lompoc, California), Bernard Ogie Oretekor (Ellenwood, Georgia), Chibuzo Nwaonu (Nashville, Tennessee), a second Marcus Unigwe (Oakdale, Louisiana), and Okechukwu Amadi (Butner, North Carolina).
Context and Broader Enforcement
The release is part of a broader US crackdown on non-citizens with major criminal convictions. The DHS has also previously published names of Nigerian cyber fraudsters, known as 'Yahoo boys,' slated for deportation. One such individual was once featured on the Forbes list before his arrest. The Trump administration's mass deportation policies prioritize individuals convicted of serious crimes, including financial offenses like money laundering.
The publication of these profiles aims to increase transparency and public awareness of enforcement actions, though exact deportation dates remain undisclosed. The affected Nigerians are among thousands targeted under the updated immigration guidelines.
