Illegal Nigerian immigrant admits lying to buy firearm in US

File: A suspect

A Nigerian national in the United States without approval to remain in the country has pleaded guilty in a federal court to making false statements while attempting to purchase a firearm.

According to a statement released on Friday by the United States Department of Justice, court records showed that the defendant, Laurel Echezonam, 25, entered the United States unlawfully through the country’s southern border in 2022.

Immigration officials later determined that Echezonam was a Nigerian national without legal status in the country.

The DOJ said that on June 7 and June 8, 2024, Echezonam travelled from his residence in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to different firearms dealers in an attempt to purchase a weapon.

“When Echezonam completed the required firearms purchase form, he made false statements regarding his immigration status to deceive the firearms dealer into selling him the firearms,” the statement said.

It added that Echezonam “was denied the firearms based on his immigration status and was subsequently apprehended by immigration officials.” Punch