The United States has confirmed plans to deport 355 people from West Africa as part of a wider immigration enforcement action.
Naijaonpoint reports that the decision was announced by the United States Department of Homeland Security, which also released the names and photographs of those affected under its West Africa Operations Watch programme known as WOW.
Among the affected countries, Nigeria has the highest number with 110 citizens listed for deportation.
Liberia follows with 94, while Ghana has 30. Other countries on the list include Senegal with 19, Cameroon with 15, Ivory Coast with 14, Gambia with 14, Mauritania with 12, Cape Verde with 11, Burkina Faso with 9, Niger with 8, Togo with 6, Guinea with 6, Mali with 5, and both Benin and Guinea-Bissau with one each.
The United States Department of Homeland Security said the action is part of its ongoing effort to enforce immigration rules, targeting people who are in the country without legal permission.
Many of those listed are said to have overstayed visas or entered the United States without proper documentation.
Among the names released by US authorities are Alexander Vorjolo and Steve Mulbah from Liberia, Gallimard Kamtchouang and Desmond Fodje Bobga from Cameroon, Franklin Donkoh and Adams Suleman from Ghana, Mariama Kanu and Hassan Jallo from Sierra Leone, Kodjo Kondon and Cesmel Meledje from Ivory Coast, as well as Sana Bayo and Kekuta Jatta from Gambia.
The list also contains the names of two Nigerians, Oluwafemi Osinowo and Atiku Binuyo, alongside many others scheduled to be returned to their countries.
