KEY POINTS
- Ibrahim Ijaoba, a Nigerian national and former Bloods gang member, is in ICE custody awaiting deportation.
- His criminal record includes aggravated assault, armed robbery, drug sales, and obstruction of justice.
- ICE emphasizes the removal as part of broader public safety and immigration enforcement efforts.
A Nigerian national, Ibrahim Tunde Ijaoba, is currently in custody with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pending deportation following a final removal order, the agency confirmed on Monday.
ICE described Ijaoba as a criminal illegal alien with a history of violent offences, citing his past affiliation with the Bloods street gang.
Criminal History and Gang Affiliation
According to ICE, Ijaoba entered the United States illegally and subsequently accumulated multiple criminal convictions. The agency detailed his record to include aggravated assault on a police officer with a firearm, assault and aggravated assault, armed robbery, obstruction of justice, drug sales, and escaping police custody.
“Ibrahim Tunde Ijaoba is a criminal illegal alien from Nigeria and former member of the Bloods, a notoriously violent street gang,” ICE said in a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) handle. The Bloods gang has gained notoriety in the United States for engaging in violent crime, drug trafficking, and armed robberies.
Ijaoba’s criminal record and gang involvement formed the basis for his deportation order. ICE officials stated that he has a final removal order and remains in custody awaiting deportation proceedings. The announcement highlights the agency’s ongoing efforts to remove individuals with significant criminal histories from the United States.
ICE Enforcement and Public Safety Measures
ICE made it clear that going after criminals like Ijaoba is part of a larger plan to keep the public safe. By enforcing removal orders against those with a history of violent crime, the agency strives to minimize risks to communities and uphold law enforcement standards across the US.
Officials also warned that persons who are in gangs are high-risk because they can be violent and are part of organized crime networks. The Ijaoba case shows that ICE is trying to stop violent crime and enforce immigration laws at the same time. Lawyers note that deportation cases for those with long criminal records can take a long time, especially if they require appeals or procedural reviews. Once deported, When Ijaoba is transferred back to Nigeria, US immigration officials will coordinate with Nigerian officials to make sure he is safe.
Ijaoba’s case is a good example of what happens to people who aren’t citizens and transgress both immigration and criminal laws. ICE still watches and arrests persons who pose a threat to security, as long as they follow the law. This makes ensuring that removal orders are carried out in a way that is legal.
