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Northwest 253 - Nigerian terrorist attack over metro Detroit

NW253 sits on runway. Like many NWA flights, Delta aircraft are used following their merger.
NW253 sits on runway. Like many NWA flights, Delta aircraft are used following their merger.
Credits: 
AP Photo/J.P. Karas

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, originally identified as Abdul Mudallad, is recovering from burns at University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor after attempting to light an incendiary device on Northwest flight 253 from Amsterdam. The Christmas Day terrorist attack occurred over the metro Detroit area twenty minutes prior to landing at Detroit Metro airport. Abdulmutallab claimed he was working for al Qaeda, an middle-eastern terrorist organization linked to radical extremist Islamics.

Abdulmutallab boarded the flight in Nigeria and underwent a change of planes in Amsterdam. The plane change would not have required passing through a security checkpoint according to sources.

Detroit has a large Nigerian and Islamic populations. Detroit hosted the International Nigerian Economic Conference in 2007.

Abdulmutallab had difficulty igniting his device and in the commotion he created other passengers became aware of his activity. He was quickly subdued by passengers.

Not an attempted attack

Being reported by most media as an attempted attack, although it should be considered a full attack as passengers on all flights during the holiday will be impacted by the event. Also, airports across the United States are using increased security methods this morning.

Airport business are preparing for higher traffic as passengers arrive earlier for flights. Employees for airport concessions will also experience a higher degree of security.

The increased measures were ordered by President Obama who was alerted while on vacation in Hawaii.

Hero entrepreneur on board

Syed Jafrey, 57, of Springfield Township, was seated in seat 16G. He quickly jumped across the aisle and a few rows behind the confessed bomber who was in seat 19A. Jafrey, an entrepreneurial consultant, was returning from an assignment in Abu Dhabi. He was joined by up to 10 other passengers and crew.

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Detroit Business Development Examiner

Rick Weaver is an accomplished business executive with a wealth of experience in retail, market analysis, supply chain enhancement, and process...

Comments

  • anne 2 years ago
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    seriously, as bad and negative as this piece of news is, why is it that since a 'nigerian' is the terrorist here, everything is blown more out of proportion than if a non-nigerian did it. people should get over the nigerian bashing already. we aren't all d same and i hate the fact that we are stigmatized as such..its al-qaeda for crying out loud people...leave nationalities aside!!!

  • samra 2 years ago
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    i believe we shouldnt be judgin other ppl and in fact im a muslim and i dont judge on other peole its called "sterotyping" which we all kno wat that means huh? its pickin on others that a group have done and blames it on the whole group. WORLD PEACE <3

  • Humza Ahmed 2 years ago
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    This is really serious matter for Nigeria. Nigeria economy is emerging and business from other countries are taking interest in the products of Nigeria, such things can also disturb number of flights to Nigeria.
    by flighttonigeria.com

  • Rob 2 years ago
    Report Abuse

    I don't care what country you're from... when you try to blow up my country's citizens, you become the enemy. So far, the only way we have to identify you is that you are a muslim. If you all want to be painted with the same brush, keep it up. If you are outraged like me regardless of your religion then speak out against these radicals. Moderate Muslims must first lead the condemnation, lest the religion of Islam be eliminated.

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