CNN Broadcasts Photo of Terrorist in Custody on Northwest Flight

Dec 26,2009

CNN Broadcasts Photo of Terrorist in Custody on Northwest Flight

A Northwest Airlines passenger from Nigeria, who said he was acting on al-Qaida's instructions, set off an explosive device Friday in a failed terrorist attack on the plane as it was landing in Detroit, federal officials said.

 Examiner.com

A Nigerian National with terrorist ties to Al Qaeda lit an explosive device that was strapped to his leg on Northwest Airlines flight 253 enroute to Detroit from Amsterdam December 25, 2009.

According to passengers on the flight, a loud, single pop was heard as the plane neared Detroit around noon and the unknown device produced smoke and flames, which lit the suspect's leg on fire. All 278 passengers and crew arrived safely at Detroit and the suspect is in custody.

The flight originated in Nigeria, where the 22-year old suspect boarded, and made a stop in Amsterdam before continuing to its Detroit destination. He was identified as Abdul Mudallad by New York Congressman Peter King. While his name came up in a database of Al Qaeda connections in Nigeria, he was not on the No-Fly list.

President Obama, while on vacation in Hawaii, is monitoring the activities and has ordered heightened security throughout the nation's airports.

The incident is sparking debate as to how a person with known terrorist ties is able to board a plane with an incendiary device on his person.