The father of a Nigerian, charged with trying to blow up a US jet on Christmas Day, warned US authorities weeks ago about his 23-year-old son Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's extreme religious views, reports said.
Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, a prominent banker well-connected in Nigeria's political world, had voiced concerns to US officials about his son Abdulmutallab, a former engineering student at University College London.
Abdulmutallab's political views alarmed his family and his father especially, and Mutallab had approached the US embassy in Abuja, reportedly in November, as well as Nigerian security officials, to voice concerns about his son.
Abdulmutallab was formally charged by a US federal judge at a Michigan hospital where he is being treated for burns after allegedly trying to detonate a destructive device on the Airbus 330, which was carrying 289 passengers and crew, and attempting to destroy it. High explosives are believed to have been molded to his body and sewn in to his underpants.
Abdulmutallab was overpowered by passengers and crew aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253, minutes before it was due to land in Detroit from the Dutch capital Amsterdam.
Airports worldwide have beefed up security after the alleged attack. Measures include cutting down on hand baggage, additional frisking of passengers at passport control and allowing more time to board.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.