Nigerian Terrorist Tried to Blow Up Plane Over Detroit on Christmas Day
The reason behind heightened security at airports across the United States over the holidays has been revealed to be a result of a foiled terrorist attack. Officials say that an Al-Qaeda linked terrorist attempted to blow up a commercial jet over Detroit on Friday, but was tackled by passengers as he attempted to explode a bomb.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, of Nigeria, was immediately subdued while on board Northwest Fligth 253 just minutes before the plane landed. The plane was carrying 278 passengers and 11 crew members.
Abdumutallab suffered third degree burns, and told authorities that he got the explosives in Yemen and received orders from Al-Qaeda operatives to detonate the sophisticated device aboard a plane over U.S. soil. The suspect, who is an engineering student at University College of London, also revealed that he had explosive powder taped to his leg and confessed to trying to use a chemical filled syringe to ignite the powder.
According to passengers, the scary incident lasted just a few minutes. Several said they heard a loud popping noise, smelled smoke, and then saw flames shooting up from the man's lap. As crew members attempted to douse the man with water, chaos ensued onboard the plane and a large man jumped over a few seats to tackle the terrorist.
Abdumutallab was severely burned, and once subdued, he was dragged to the front of the plane and restrained there until the plane landed a few minutes later. Passengers described him as having been eerily calm and seemingly unaffected by the pain.
Abdulmutallab was not on a no-fly list, but it was known that he had terrorist connections in northern Africa. A federal bulletin issued warned:
"The subject is claiming to have extremist affiliation and that the device was acquired in Yemen along with instructions as to when it should be used."
A White House official has called the incident "an attempted act of terrorism", and said that President Barack Obama is monitoring events. Once aware of the situation, Obama immediately ordered heightened security at airports across the country.
According to officials, Abdulmutallab was travelling one way without a return ticket. He hopped on an Airbus 33o in Amsterdam after transferring from a flight out of Lagos, Nigeria. The flight then continued on to Detroit.
The passenger who helped to restrain the terrorist was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center upon landing, and was still hospitalized as of Friday evening. The extent of his injuries was not revealed by medical staff. Abdulmutallab was also taken to the same medical center and was being treated under heavy guard.
On Friday, authorities were investigating how he was able to board the plane with explosives. Rep. Pete King (R-NY) said that "It was a fairly sophisticated device. If it would have worked, he could have brought the plane down."
The Homeland Security Department warns that passengers may now see additional screening measures put into place on all flights due to the incident. The department also said:
"We encourage those with future travel plans to stay in touch with their airline and to visit www.tsa.gov for updates."
Comments
That's terrible. As if nigerians don't get a bad rap as it is, now Niheria will officially be a "a breeding ground for terrorism" country". Sucks man.
This is an identity damage to nigerians that live in or work for the USA.
This action, I hope, would go a long way to show the world what the south easterners that live in the northern part of Nigeria surfer in the hand of moslem extremists.
I wish Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu''s seccesion plans was succesful.
Nigeria is not a land of terrorism, we are happy people and we welcome people from all parts of the world. So how can one man's image destroy that of millions. I wander why religion which is meant to lead and direct people to the wright part seem to be used by the wicked to take life. I am a christian and i'm not against Islam but people should learn to do things the way it's suppose to be done rather than hurting the life of other. Please we should kill the violence and increase the peace in the world then it will be a better place for every one no matter ur religion. He that has ears let him hear! u can contact me via email mc_maduck@yahoo.com for further discussion.
Nigeria is not a land of terrorism, we are happy people and we welcome people from all parts of the world. So how can one man's image destroy that of millions. I wander why religion which is meant to lead and direct people to the wright part seem to be used by the wicked to take life. I am a christian and i'm not against Islam but people should learn to do things the way it's suppose to be done rather than hurting the life of other. Please we should kill the violence and increase the peace in the world then it will be a better place for every one no matter ur religion. He that has ears let him hear!
Considering the relative ease with which a Nigerian Passport can be obtained, there is a good chance that this guy is not really a Nigerian. Any terrorist from Yemen or any other country could route his trip through Nigeria and obtain a Nigerian passport upon arrival in Nigeria. I hope the Nigerian and US governments would get to the bottom of this, either way.
How can you be listed on a National Terrorist Database but not on the no-fly list?
How do you get on a plane with PETN after a thorough security check?
Why do we continually ignore advanced warnings of pending attacks?
How will we ever get real solutions when we are so busy covering the rear ends
of highly paid incompetent people in government?
Why is there no mention of air marshalls on the plane?
Why did an ordinary citizen (actually a Dutch citizen) have to risk his life on an American plane in this oh so secure country of ours.
Not only is this Nigerian delusional to pulll a stunt like this but he picked a country in dire need of a reality check to boot.
The reason this guy was allowed to get on an airplane was that the authorities probably knew he was not a real danger. This alleged global terrorism is nothing but fear mongering from our government. It allows them to further encroach on our civil liberties by staging these phony terrorist attacks.
They knew damn well this guy wasn't dangerous. He seems pretty incompetent for an alleged terrorist.
Why would Al Quaida send a nincompoop like this on a terrorist mission? It does not make logical sense, unless you understand that the so called "war on terror" is about keeping people afraid, and allowing the government to gain more and more control over every aspect of our lives.
Another sand snake turned terrorist. We gotta quit covering our asses and start dealing with these jackasses.
You see the Obama kiss and make up tour doesn't mean a thing to the sand snakes of the world.
Keep pulling grandma off the check in line while the terrorists board the planes.
Its called racial profiling, start using it.
It is really sad news for all of US. Not for American it is a serious threat for all of us.
While our government focuses on shutting down Guantanamo Bay in case we offend someone by imprisoning those criminals that would kill us, we allow real terrorists to board our planes with real explosive devices.
What are these morons in our government up to? We need to stop spending billions on health care that nobody wants and other pork stuffed bills and start spending our money on effective screening devices. Organizations like the Electronic Privacy Information Organization are liberal fools. They object to passengers being scanned because it might offend our sensibilities!! We continue to avoid racial profiling in case we offend some ethnic group so we waste our efforts searching 80 year old white Americans. Oh wait I said "white", arrest me quickly I might have offended a terrorist. What a joke our officials are. Its time to get real folks. Let your elected official know that we don’t give a damn about offending people, we are under attack.
I am from Nigeria, i knw Nigerians an what they are capable of doing, A true Nigerian will not lay down his live in his pusure for Money, cus that is why he does everything he does (he wants to have a good life.) and notting else
Talk about racial profiling.... they want to kill us white folk. Time to be super sensitive at the airport.
Quick to point fingers at the laxity of the Nigerian airport security operatives? Is that right?
How about the head start that the good Dad of the wannabie bomber gave both the British and American security operatives intimating them in writing of his son's dellusional and radical views. How did he get through the so called sophisticated western airport security at Amsterdam.
Am Proudly Nigerian and can speak for the majority that we do not cordone or encourage terrorism, but the other countries should acknowledge responsibility as well for not taking the warnings of a father seriously. Personally, I feel the boy should not see a court room but the gallows.
Recognize your enemy! Nigerian ragheads are just like all the other islamic ragheads... they want to kill someone... because allah wants them to kill people... because allah is a bloodthirsty figment of the imagination of maniacs like Kahmeini and abbydinajab. God wants people to live in peace with one another. Since islam teaches murder as the way to heaven, all muslims should be rounded up and executed... then WE will go to heaven.
Nice. Who's the one who is bloodthirsty now?
Nigeria is not a nice country: in addition to terrorism, they oppress minorities and have double standards about sex and HIV. Why are we doing business with countries like that at all? Instead of Cuba, we should be boycotting countries like Nigeria.
Nationalities dont matter ! a terrorist is a terrorist. This one is one misguided person brainwashed by terrirst who are so full of crap they send people to front lines rather than being there .. I call them cowards...