Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab has been indicted by a federal grand Jury in the United States for trying to down a transatlantic jetliner on December, 25 2009. He faces life imprisonment if convicted. This comes as former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon asked the US to formally apologise to Nigeria for lumping it with countries that are suspected of habouring terrorists and remove the country from the terror list drawn up this week. Also, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ogbonna Onovo insisted that Nigeria is not a haven for terrorists. He said the country has a “zero tolerance policy towards all forms of terrorism and terrorism acts.” The 23-year-old is currently being held in Milan, Michigan, after he was charged for attempting to detonate an explosive aboard Northwest/Delta Detroit-bound airline. USA Today reported that he was charged on six counts for alleged terrorism attack. The bomb which was hidden in his underpants failed to detonate and he was overpowered by other passengers when they heard a noise like firecrackers coming from his seat. But Gowon made his views known when he paid a condolence visit to former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, Niger State.

“From all indication and even as revealed by investigations, Umaru Farouk was not influenced by Nigeria but by his stay in other countries abroad so the US should reverse their decision and make a formal apology to the entire country,” he said. The former head of state stated that the US decision is “unfair, unjust and unkind”. He argued that the action of AbdulMutallab who has been charged with trying to down a transatlantic jetliner on Christmas day is not enough to blacklist the country. He stated that current situation could not continue given the “exceptional” relationship between both countries. Nigeria should not be punished for the offence of one man, he added. “The action of this unfortunate young man was condemned by not only his father, his relations but the more that 120 million Nigerians so there is no reason for the action by the US because no Nigerian is in support of his actions,” he said. He asked Nigerians to pray for the country in order to avert unfortunate incidents that would smear its image. Meanwhile, Onovo continued to defend Nigeria in a statement yesterday. A statement signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police and Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, declared that Nigeria abhors all such activities. “The Nigerian people, Nigerian parents, Nigerian guardians, Nigerian families, Nigerian communities and the Nigerian government cannot brook terrorist acts in any shape,” said the IG. He said that although terrorism had never been an issue in the country, “it is far-sighted of the police leadership that it has established an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which works closely with our intelligence officers all over the nation”. The IG argued that ATS officers had received the best training in the world and are therefore ready and equal to the task in terms of fighting terrorism in the country.

On whether AbdulMuttallab was working in concert with some other Nigerian nationals, the statement said the “suspect was certainly working with non-Nigerians. The young man must have been brainwashed and indoctrinated abroad, not here. He has lived much of his life abroad. “Ours is a pluralistic society. Our 140 million people have long imbibed the philosophy of live-and-let-live as an article of faith.” Onovo said the fact that the suspect’s father, Umar Mutallab, reported his son to the US embassy confirms the attitude and philosophy of Nigerians toward acts of terror. He stated that the Nigeria Police Force is committed to peaceful co-existence through the maintenance of the rule of law and order. “The Nigeria Police Force is committed to the tradition of peaceful and harmonious co-existence through the maintenance of law and order,” he said. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday after its meeting in Abuja described the move as a disappointment and undeserving of a nation like Nigeria. Addressing State House correspondents at the end of its meeting, the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili, alongside her colleagues, Minister of Power, Lanre Babalola and the Minister of State for Information and Communications, Alhaji Ikra Bilbis, the FEC resolved that the US move could undermine good relations between both countries. She went on to point out that Nigeria had signed and ratified 16 United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) instruments on counter-terrorism. These instruments, according to her, deal with issues of drug trafficking, money laundering, nuclear terrorism and crime. This record, she said, is in addition to the country’s role in international peacekeeping. Nigeria has expressed “deep sorrow and dismay” since the incident happened while also condemning it.

On steps taken to safeguard our airports, she disclosed that the government had ordered eight body scanners adding that they are expected to arrive in two weeks time. In addition, the Federal Airports Authority has announced the receipt of 20 metal detectors aimed at boosting security measures, she said. Asked if President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua indeed spoke to key members of the cabinet as claimed by the Chief Economic Adviser, Tanimu Yakubu, she answered in the affirmative. Nigeria has been named by the US among “countries of interest” alongside Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Algeria, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Lebanon and Pakistan. Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria are viewed as “state sponsors of terrorism.”


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It is diversionary and a shameful evasion for Gowon and Onovo to allude that AbdulMutallab\'s unfortunate action was as a result of his long sojourn outside Nigeria. Nobody has bordered to ask why the young man was abandoned at a very tender age by his parents/nation to \"teachers\" in Lome and other foreign towns/nations all in the quest of attaining academic excellence. What did Gowon do for nine years as a Head of State to develop education in Nigeria? What is even happening now? Nigerians are only reaping what corrupt, dull and visionless leadership had sown and are still sowing (Yar\'adua and his rowdy Federal Executive Council).Yesterday it was Professor Adeniran and his son, today it is the Mutallabs and tomorrow will unfold others. It is my belief that one day Nigerians shall overcome