Listing Threatens
Nigeria, US Relations - Minister
Aliyu Othman, Abuja
Nigeria
has said her inclusion on the lists of terrorist countries has
the potential of undermining the long standing bilateral
relations with the US.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Communications, Professor
Dora Akunyili stated, at the end of the weekly Federal Executive
Council meeting in Abuja, that it was on record that Nigeria had
signed and ratified nine out of the sixteen United Nations and
African Union instruments on counter terrorism, which the US
also subscribed to.
Professor Dora Akunyili said the terrorism instruments centred
on money laundering, drug trafficking, crimes and nuclear
terrorism, challenges for which security agencies in Nigeria are
fully abreast of.
According to her, Nigeria’s roles in peace keeping operations
earned the nation international recognitions and commendations
of the UN, consequently making her inclusion on the list of
countries sponsoring terrorism a misplaced action.
Indictment
Meanwhile, a US grand jury has indicted Nigerian Umar Farouk
Abdulmutallab on six counts, over an alleged plot to bomb a
plane over Detroit on Christmas Day.
Specifics
According to the court document, the charges against the
23-year-old include attempted use of a weapon of mass
destruction and attempted murder of 290 people on board
the plane.
Abdulmutallab allegedly tried to detonate a bomb on Northwest
flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit. The plane landed
safely after crew and passengers overpowered him.
The charges read: attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction,
attempted murder within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the
US, willful attempt to destroy and wreck an aircraft, willfully
placing a destructive device in or near an aircraft which was
likely to endanger the safety of the aircraft, and two counts of
possession of a firearm; the bomb, in furtherance of violent
crime.
Abdulmutallab allegedly concealed two explosives - PETN and TATP
- in his clothing with other ingredients to make a bomb.
The indictment said the bomb was designed for him to detonate at
a time of his choosing.
Arraignment
The charges will be read to Abdulmutallab on Friday and his plea
taken.
Attorney General Eric Holder said that the investigation into
the bomb plot was, ’’fast-paced, global and ongoing, and it
has already yielded valuable intelligence that we will follow
wherever it leads. Anyone we find responsible for this alleged
attack will be brought to justice using every tool - military or
judicial - available to our government.’’
The alleged bombing attempt prompted airport screening changes
in numerous countries, with some moving to introduce body
scanners.
With additional reports from BBC/Qasim/Yinka
