Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota — Two individuals, including a Nigerian national residing in the United States and a Minnesota woman, have been charged in federal court following a dramatic confrontation with Homeland Security agents that briefly saw a federal agent involuntarily carried in a vehicle during a federal immigration enforcement operation. The case, which unfolded on December 10, 2025, has drawn national attention as authorities detail an unusual sequence of events that began with efforts to detain a man suspected of overstaying his visa.
According to court documents and law enforcement statements, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were conducting immigration surveillance at an apartment complex in Plymouth, a suburb northwest of Minneapolis, seeking 24-year-old Oluwadamilola Ogooluwa Bamigboye, a Nigerian national suspected of overstaying his student visa. As agents approached Bamigboye and identified themselves, the situation quickly escalated when he entered a nearby sport utility vehicle (SUV) and instructed 23-year-old Rekeya Lionesha Lee Frazier, who was present in the vehicle, to drive away.
In an attempt to prevent their escape, an HSI agent climbed into the front passenger seat of the SUV, while another agent tried to pull Bamigboye from the vehicle. As Frazier continued to drive, the agent inside the vehicle — with his firearm drawn and repeatedly ordering her to stop — was carried toward the nearby New Hope Police Department, a distance of several blocks. Local police and additional officers pursued, responding to 911 calls about the incident. The vehicle eventually stopped outside the police station, where the trapped agent was freed unharmed and both suspects were taken into custody.
Law enforcement authorities have charged Bamigboye and Frazier with assault on a federal officer and interfering with Department of Homeland Security agents in connection with the confrontation. Both remain jailed without bail pending upcoming court hearings in the U.S. District Court for Minnesota. Government filings describe the incident as an unlawful attempt to flee from law enforcement during an official federal immigration action.
Federal prosecutors allege that Bamigboye fled into Frazier’s vehicle after being confronted over his immigration status, leading to the volatile exchange that placed the HSI agent in danger. The criminal complaint states that the pair disregarded repeated commands to stop, prompting a brief high-stakes situation that ended with the agent’s safe extraction and the suspects’ arrests.
In statements to investigators following their detention, Bamigboye reportedly claimed that the agents did not properly display credentials and cited prior trauma, saying he acted out of fear due to past experiences. According to one law enforcement account, he referred to suffering symptoms related to trauma allegedly from being kidnapped in his native Nigeria. Frazier declined to speak with law enforcement when arrested outside the grocery store where Bamigboye fled after the vehicle stopped.
Homeland Security officials characterised the incident as a dangerous interference with an ongoing federal enforcement operation. Given the involvement of a federal agent, the charges carry significant potential penalties, reflecting the seriousness with which authorities treat assaults on law enforcement personnel. Federal prosecutors have emphasised that safeguarding officers executing lawful duties is a paramount concern of the justice system.
The case also highlights broader tensions surrounding immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and across the United States. In recent weeks, federal authorities have intensified operations in the Twin Cities, including efforts to identify and detain individuals with expired visas or other immigration violations. These operations have drawn scrutiny and mixed reactions from local officials, civil rights advocates and immigrant communities, some of whom have raised concerns about enforcement tactics and the potential for misidentification or excessive force.
Local law enforcement agencies, including the Plymouth and New Hope police departments, were instrumental in bringing the incident to a peaceful conclusion, coordinating with federal agents and responding to community calls. Police spokespeople noted that the immediate threat was resolved without physical injury to the agent or members of the public, and lauded the collaborative response that ensured public safety.
Immigration law experts observing the case said that it underscores the complexities inherent in enforcing U.S. immigration statutes, particularly in environments where suspects may be unaware of officers’ identities or fearful of engagement with authorities. Such dynamics may be exacerbated by communication challenges or misunderstandings during confrontations that escalate rapidly.
Bamigboye’s status as a Nigerian national with an alleged visa overstay is a central element of the federal investigation. Under U.S. immigration law, individuals who remain beyond the authorized period of stay can be subject to removal proceedings and other enforcement actions. Federal authorities indicated that Bamigboye’s student visa had expired in 2024 and that the current operation targeted individuals in violation of immigration regulations.
While the underlying immigration-related basis for the operation drew attention, the focus of criminal charges remains on the alleged obstruction and assault connected to the vehicle incident. If convicted, the suspects could face substantial federal penalties, including imprisonment, fines and deportation proceedings for Bamigboye upon completion of any sentence.
Local community leaders in the Twin Cities area have been monitoring reactions to the case, as immigration enforcement and public safety concerns continue to be issues of active public debate. Some advocacy groups have called for clearer protocols and improved transparency in federal operations to prevent similar confrontations in the future, while law enforcement officials reaffirm their commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting officers in the line of duty.
As the judicial process unfolds, court appearances and potential motions by defense counsel are expected to clarify additional factual and legal issues surrounding the incident. Federal prosecutors will likely present evidence from the criminal complaint and witness testimony, while defense teams may contest aspects of the agents’ conduct or procedural matters related to the arrest itself.
The case continues to draw attention as an unusual and dramatic example of how routine immigration enforcement actions can escalate into serious criminal charges, intertwining federal immigration law with broader discussions about community safety and enforcement practices.
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