Officials say 5,107 Somali soldiers are currently in training, including 2,000 recruits drawn from Somalia’s Northeastern State. The programme is set to last nine months. What has raised concern is the suggestion that some of the foreign trainers may later be moved to Sudan to support the Sudanese army and allied groups.

Tensions in Somalia spiked in the first week of June after clashes between federal forces and armed factions opposed to an extension of President Mohamud’s term. His constitutional mandate expired in May. Meanwhile, militant groups including Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS remain active across several regions.

According to PM News, Africa Intelligence reported in February that Sudanese officers led a covert mission to train Somali militias. The report said “a team of Sudanese military personnel trained 1,000 Somali recruits in Galmudug State” under the oversight of intelligence structures linked to the presidency.

In Sudan, the allegations mirror those in Somalia. Gulf Post, citing Intelligence Online, said imagery and intelligence gathered in Kyiv indicated the use of howitzers on Sudanese battlefields after Saudi Arabia delivered the systems between 2023 and 2024.

Intelligence Online also stated that Ukrainian mercenaries trained artillery units of the Sudanese Armed Forces under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and allied Islamist elements on how to operate the equipment.

The same outlet reported that Saudi Arabia shipped three batteries of 155mm M777 artillery systems, plus large stockpiles of ammunition, to the Sudanese army during 2023 and 2024. Evidence from 2023 allegedly shows Ukrainian fighters operating towed M777s in terrain consistent with Sudan, based on architectural and vegetation markers. The documents are described as the first direct evidence tying Saudi-supplied systems to operations in Sudan.

The overlap has drawn regional attention. SudanLeaks quoted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed making remarks that echo international assessments about the Sudanese army and its allied militias using foreign fighters and mercenaries from several African countries.

According to SudanLeaks, Abiy’s comments align with reports that Muslim Brotherhood-linked militias in Sudan, including the Al-Baraa ibn Malik Battalion which is affiliated with the Islamic Movement and under U.S. sanctions, have stepped up recruitment of mercenaries from Ethiopia and other African states. The group is also said to be using Iranian and Ukrainian personnel.

1. Obinwanne Okeke (Invictus Obi)

Perhaps the most famous name on the deportation list is Obinwanne Okeke, widely known as Invictus Obi. In 2016, Okeke was celebrated internationally, even making the prestigious Forbes “30 Under 30” list of Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs.

However, his empire crumbled when the FBI arrested him for masterminding an $11 million global cyber-intrusion and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme. His team successfully hacked the email systems of Unatrac Holding Limited, a heavy machinery supplier, to divert massive payments.

Okeke was sentenced to 10 years in a US federal prison in 2021. Following his release from custody, he was transferred to ICE and placed on the priority deportation list.

2. Oriyomi Aloba

Oriyomi Aloba carried out one of the most unusual cyberattacks on the list by targeting the US justice system itself. Aloba successfully hacked into the Los Angeles Superior Court computer system.

He then hijacked the court’s servers to send over 2 million malicious phishing emails to unsuspecting recipients, aiming to steal credit card details and personal identity data.

In 2019, US federal authorities sentenced him to 145 months (over 12 years) in prison. He has now been officially listed on the DHS portal for deportation to Nigeria.

3. Chibundu Anuebunwa

Chibundu Anuebunwa specialised in high-level corporate impersonation to swindle international companies. Anuebunwa was a key player in a transnational cyber fraud ring that ran a $2.5 million BEC scheme.

The crime team specialised in spoofing and hacking corporate emails to impersonate high-ranking executives, tricking companies worldwide into executing fraudulent wire transfers. He was sentenced to 66 months (5.5 years) in federal prison in 2023. His profile and photo are now active on the US deportation registry.

4. Quazeem Adeyinka

Quazeem Adeyinka was part of a team that exploited US government emergency funds during the global pandemic crisis.

Adeyinka participated in a wire fraud conspiracy that used stolen identities to file fraudulent claims for COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits. The scheme successfully siphoned over $2.2 million from US taxpayer-funded relief programs.

He was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison and has been marked on the priority list for deportation.

5. Olaolu Alabi

Olaolu Alabi used stolen pandemic relief and corporate fraud proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle before his arrest. Operating out of Owings Mills, Maryland, Alabi was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

He defrauded individuals and businesses of over $1.5 million using stolen identities to claim pandemic relief. Alabi personally pocketed at least $500,000, some of which he spent on a luxury trip to Hawaii for himself and his friends. He was sentenced to 66 months (5.5 years) in federal prison and is now awaiting repatriation to Nigeria on the DHS list.

While the US Government has published their names and photographs, the DHS has not released specific deportation flight dates. Under US law, each individual’s deportation will be processed systematically as they complete their prison sentences or exhaust their remaining legal options.

-Source: Legit

Furthermore, President Tinubu reiterated the government’s commitment to combating terrorism, assuring that Nigeria will not yield to threats.

He emphasized the government’s role in protecting the citizens and maintaining peace throughout the country.

“Tonight, our nation has reason to give thanks.

“The children and teachers abducted by Ansaru terrorists in Oyo State have been rescued by our security forces, alive and unharmed. No ransom was paid. No concession was made.

“I salute every officer and operative whose courage, discipline, and professionalism made this possible.

“To those who seek to spread fear through terror, know that the Nigerian state will pursue you relentlessly. We will protect our people, defend our communities, and never relent until peace and security prevail across our country,” President Tinubu wrote in the statement released on 𝕏.