Protests erupted in New York on Saturday night after a Nigerian man, Chidozie Wilson Okeke, with an alleged criminal record, was arrested by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement following a sting operation.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Mr Okeke had prior arrests for assault and criminal drug possession and was apprehended by immigration agents in Brooklyn as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on mass migration in the United States.

The agency stated that the suspect, however, became combative during his arrest and physically assaulted its officers, leaving them no choice but to use the minimum amount of force needed to subdue him.

“Last night, @ICEgov conducted a targeted enforcement operation in Brooklyn that resulted in the arrest of Chidozie Wilson Okeke, a criminal illegal alien from Nigeria with previous arrests for assault and criminal drug possession,” the DHS said.

It added, “During his arrest, Okeke refused to comply with officers’ lawful commands to exit the vehicle and weaponised his vehicle to attempt to hit ICE officers. Okeke became physically combative, attempting to punch and elbow ICE officers. Our officers followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest.”

Mr Okeke was eventually taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Centre upon his request. While the suspect’s medical evaluation was ongoing, dozens of anti-ICE protesters had gathered outside the hospital and were captured throwing several items on the road in an apparent attempt to prevent ICE officers from leaving the area.

At the same time, Mr Okeke, whom the DHS said remained uncooperative throughout the medical examination, was also seen being dragged out of the facility into an awaiting vehicle by ICE agents as demonstrators blocked off the road.

Several ICE agents were allegedly assaulted and their vehicles damaged, prompting officers from the New York Police Department to be called to the scene, resulting in the arrest of at least a dozen alleged rioters.

“During the medical evaluation, a significant crowd of anti-ICE agitators gathered at the hospital and became violent. The protestors damaged several ICE vehicles and assaulted ICE officers, resulting in minor injuries to the officers. Assaulting law enforcement is a felony and crime,” the DHS added.