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Terror Suspect Abdulmutallab is engineering student at elite London university

University College of London is where the terror suspect attends engineering school.
University College of London is where the terror suspect attends engineering school.
Credits: 
Wikipedia

The FBI has determined a terrorist suspect is a young college student in London.

Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, a Nigerian national, is attending engineering school at the University College of London (UCL), according to federal officials. He told authorities he was doing the bidding of al Qaida. Federal authorities are investigating his claim and not yet convinced of his ties to the group.

UCL is an elite university that welcomes students of various backgrounds and religious convictions. It is often referred to as the 4th best university in the world.

London has a large Muslim community with many smaller radicalized factions. The 2005 bombing of the subway system in the city has caused consternation between religious groups in the Kingdom. 

Abdulmutallab applied for a Visa to visit the U.S. to attend a religious gathering. He was listed on the FBI Watch List, but he was not included in the No Fly List kept by terrorism experts in the U.S. Federal authorities said Abdulmutallab was determined to have "low level" connections to terrorists. 

On Christmas morning, he allegedly tried to set off a bomb on board Northwest Airlines Flight 253 that was inbound to Detroit from Amsterdam.  The alleged ignition failed and he was tackled by a passenger three rows away from his seat. Other passengers and crew members subdued him.

Witnesses said he had burns on his legs from the device he tried to ignite. He was taken to a hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich., under the supervision of Special Agents from the FBI Detroit field office.

The substance he allegedly used is being taken to the FBI lab in Quantico, Va., for analysis.

President Barack Obama has been in touch with his national security advisers and he is actively monitoring the situation, according to White House officials.

Rep. Peter King (R-NY) said the alert level in the U.S. would not be raised from orange to red, however there will be increased security at airports and other modes of transportation.

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By

FBI Examiner

Virginia McCabe is an award winning journalist with 10 years experience in investigative journalism, major crime and government reporting. ...

Comments

  • MONNIE 2 years ago
    Report Abuse

    "Low level connection to Terrorists" Is there such a thing?
    Engineering...hmmmm.....nuclear or mechanical
    Not on a no fly list
    I think the FBI needs me on their team cuz there is something lacking there.

  • arish sahani 2 years ago
    Report Abuse

    Islam 1400 yrs of history is clear , loot ,convert attack,rape and take . We in present world busy in making money while doctrine of islam is claer loot,lie cheat and kill their books are full of these teachings. There is no low level and high level opertives we are just fooling ourself. Unless and untill we seprate us from them like we put killers and bad elements in prison we have to sepratae these cultureal propmoters from civilised or they will keep hurting and distroying our creations and way of life. Our leaders are the mainpeople of ur distruction as they have no knowledge of islam. They need special classes on history..

  • Milk of Magnesia 2 years ago
    Report Abuse

    "Islam 1400 yrs of history is clear , loot ,convert attack,rape and take..."- Arish Sahani

    You should stick to your job and stop fooling yourself. Political and social commentary are not your forte. Nor is spelling. Violence and imperialism have been used in every part of the world regardless of nation or religion. There is a secret group responsible for the exploitation of the worlds people and resources. AND that much IS clear.

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