By Obinna Uballa
The United States government has commenced plans to deport 97 Nigerian nationals over alleged violations of immigration and criminal laws, according to records released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The figure comprises 18 newly listed Nigerians added to an earlier batch of 79 individuals already marked for removal. The action is part of a broader enforcement operation coordinated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across multiple states.
In a statement published on the DHS website, U.S. authorities said the operation targets what it described as the “worst-of-the-worst criminal immigrants” accused of serious offences considered threats to public safety and financial security.
According to DHS, the alleged offences linked to the affected Nigerians include wire fraud, mail fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes. The agency stated that the arrests and planned removals are being carried out in line with federal immigration laws and directives of the current U.S. administration.
Among the 18 newly added names is Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus Obi. Okeke, born November 9, 1987, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in the United States after pleading guilty to internet fraud that reportedly caused losses of about $11 million to victims.
Before his arrest following a 13-month FBI investigation, Okeke was known as an entrepreneur with business interests spanning oil and gas, agriculture, private equity, alternative energy, telecommunications, and real estate under the Invictus Group, which operated in Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia.
Other Nigerians listed in the latest update include Oluwaseyanu Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, 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.
These names were added to an earlier roster of 79 Nigerians already scheduled for deportation, bringing the total to 97.
U.S. officials said many of those affected had been convicted of offences involving financial fraud schemes, cyber-related crimes, and other violations said to have caused economic losses. ICE authorities noted that the arrests were executed through coordinated operations involving federal and local law enforcement agencies.
According to DHS, deportation proceedings will be carried out for individuals who have exhausted legal appeals or whose immigration status has been revoked. The agency emphasised that removals would follow established immigration procedures and court directives.
The deportation exercise is considered one of the largest single enforcement actions involving Nigerian nationals in recent years. As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian government officials had not issued any formal response to the development.
Historically, deportations from the United States to Nigeria are conducted in collaboration with Nigerian immigration authorities and diplomatic missions.
DHS stated that the action forms part of a wider immigration enforcement agenda aimed at prioritising the removal of non-citizens with criminal records, adding that additional names could be listed as investigations continue.
