Top five crimes that land Nigerians in U.S. prisons
From 2016 to 2025, 3,968 Nigerians were jailed in U.S. federal prisons for crimes ranging from fraud, bribery, extortion, drug trafficking, burglary, larceny, and sexual offences, among others, a document obtained by Peoples Gazette shows.
The document listed the names of 3,968 Nigerians, their crimes, and the years they were jailed for crimes ranging from fraud, bribery, extortion, burglary, larceny, and sex offences from 2016 to 2025.
Approximately 400 Nigerians are jailed annually.
Fraud, bribery, extortion
At the top of the list of crimes for which the 3,968 Nigerians were jailed was fraud, bribery and extortion, the document stated. From 2016 to 2025, 1,978 Nigerians were jailed for involvement in fraud, bribery, and extortion.
The document shows that an average of 200 Nigerians were jailed annually for the crimes, accounting for about 50 per cent of the total.
“Unspecified” crimes
A total of 828 Nigerians were jailed for unspecified crimes, according to the document. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons told The Gazette that “some individuals don’t have an offence listed. That just means that we don’t have their sentencing information yet”.
Burglary, larceny
Out of the 3,968 Nigerians jailed between 2016 and 2025, 434 were sentenced for burglary and larceny, making it the second-largest category after fraud, bribery and extortion.
Drug trafficking
During the period under review, 422 Nigerians were jailed for drug trafficking-related crimes. This represents 10.64 per cent of the total number of Nigerians jailed.
Immigration fraud
Between 2016 and 2025, 74 Nigerians were jailed for immigration fraud. This represents about two per cent of the total number of Nigerians jailed.
Weapons and explosives
From 2016 to 2025, 64 Nigerians were jailed for possessing illegal weapons and explosives. This represents about 1.6 per cent of Nigerians incarcerated during the period.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
NBA Ibadan to boycott Oyo judiciary’s new legal year event
The branch said it unanimously reached the boycott decision at its general meeting convened on Saturday.
Heading 1
Under Buhari Nigeria was collapsing before Tinubu came as saviour: Shettima
Mr Shettima stated Nigerians should be kind towards Mr Tinubu.
States
Kano governor condoles NIPR chairman over father’s death
The governor urged the bereaved family to take solace in the good virtues and legacies left behind by the deceased.
![Vessels along Strait of Hormuz (Photo credit: Benoit Tessier/File Photo/Reuters]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/cxk79fQB.jpg)
World
Iran lists seven conditions to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Mr Ghalibaf said accepting the seven demands was the only way to reopen the oil passageway.
States
Two suspected cultists nabbed in Delta for alleged murder
Mr Edafe said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday by the command’s operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit.
Lagos
Tinubu visits Oba of Lagos, receives monarch’s counsel, prayers
Some APC stalwarts, political associates and other dignitaries were part of the visit.
