ANOTHER Nigerian has been arrested after barricading himself in the toilet aboard a plane with the same flight number as the one attacked by his compatriot, Umar Farouk Mutallab, on Christmas Day.

The 30-year-old man, whose name was unknown at press time on Sunday, was said to have boarded the plane in Lagos with no luggage. Airline crew said on the Amsterdam to Detroit leg of Northwest Airlines flight 253 that he became verbally disruptive. The man was said to have locked himself in the toilet for over an hour.

Staff told the authorities and on touchdown the man was arrested by FBI agents who were wait-ing on the runway. The unruly passenger did not appear to be a threat, according to US authorities who said no device was said to have been found on or with the passenger.

A US law enforcement officer who spoke anonymously said the man was a businessman who became ill during the flight. All 257 passengers and 11 crew left the plane safely. Airport spokesman, Scott Wintner, said it was the same flight on which Mutallab tried to set off an explosive on Christmas Day.

“The pilot requested emergency assistance upon arrival,” he said. Security and airline personnel are on edge since the attempted terror attack on Christmas Day, and the law enforcement officials said that lesser incidents had been reported on other flights arriving in Detroit, but the incident with Mutallab had sparked the most concern.

The White House said President Barrack Obama had been notified. President Obama has ordered a review of security screening processes after Friday's botched terror attack on a U.S. airliner, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said on Sunday.

Appearing on the ABC programme “This Week” and the NBC programme “Meet the Press,” Gibbs said Obama was receiving regular briefings by his national security staff on the incident in which Mutallab allegedly tried to detonate an explosive device on a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, making its final approach to Detroit, Michigan.

The suspect, 23-year-old Mutallab, was on abroad watch list of 550,000 names since last month, Gibbs said. That list does not automatically bring tighter screening of individuals, Gibbs said, and Obama has ordered a review of the procedures for determining which people on the list undergo more stringent checking.

Obama also called for "a review to , figure out why an individual with the chemical explosive he had on him could get on a plane in Amsterdam and fly into the United States," Gibbs said on NBC.

"The president is very confident that this government is taking the steps that are necessary to take our fight to those who seek to do us harm," Gibbs said on the ABC programme.

bama also stressed the need for hightened security surveillance. Security forces have reportedly been searching Mutallab’s family home in Funtua, according to Sky sources.

The suspect has also been moved from hospital to a secure location in eastern Michigan. Meanwhile, Nigerian Consulate officers have relocated to Detroit over the arraignment of Mutallab.

Following the unsuccessful terrorist act, Nigerians in USA and Canada have started counting losses and backlash for being countrymen and women of the alleged terrorist.

First to arrive in Detroit in Michigan State, city of the thwarted attempted terrorist act, was Dr. Joseph Omede, a senior consulate officer from Nigerian Embassy in New York. Dr. Omede was spotted at Detroit Airport at around 12:00 p.m. on Sunday while other officers were expected to arrive later.

The officers are to work with United States Security officials to get first-hand information in order to report to Nigerian government and also to assist in getting to the root of the incident.

Former Chairman of Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Michigan Chapter, Chief Rasaq Ibrahim, expressed shock that the suspect was confirmed to be a Nigerian.

“When the news broke on Christmas Day, we all thought they wanted to mention a Nigerien and not a Nigerian, because nobody expected a suicide bomber to come from Nigeria. Nigerians are known to love to enjoy life even in the face of bad economy or tyranny; we always don’t want to die

“The backlash has not really started because of the Christmas and New Year holidays but as soon as work resume after the festive period many Nigerians here would begin to feel the pinch. Already, we have long list of negatives, now terrorism would be added to it. I bet you nobody here wants to associate with terrorist,” Ibrahim said.

A prominent Nigerian-Canadian, Mr Ayodeji Otiti, who lives in Toronto also expressed fears that the effects would have strong backlash, especially for Nigerians in North America and more for those who have Muslim names

He described the incident as unfortunate, which has worsened Nigeria’s image abroad. “The act does not in anyway represent Nigerian attitude at all, it is quite unfortunate that some ignorant people might use this to judge Nigerians and the black race at large.”

Meanwhile, the Vice-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has lamented the Mutallab incident.

Speaking at a church service to mark the last Sunday of 2009, Dr. Jonathan said the incident would worsen the harassment of Nigerians abroad. He said “this will bring unnecessary harassments and scrutiny to other Nigerians who want to travel outside the country.

“We trust in God, He will not disappoint us and He will see us through. I therefore urge every Nigerian to change in the way we used to do things and show enough commitment to the nation,” he said.

The Vice-President spoke on Sunday at the last Sunday of the year thanksgiving service at Living Faith Church, a.k.a Winners Chapel, Durumi, Abuja. On the country’s challenges, Dr. Jonathan expressed optimism that “as a nation which God loves and whose trust is in God, we will surmount all the challenges facing us as a nation in the coming year.”

He said “with the commitment of all Nigerians and prayers to the Almighty, the country will not remain the way it is today.” Dr. Jonathan also expressed his appreciation to the Church and all Christians for their fervent prayers for the stability of the country and the speedy recovery of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

According to him, “I sincerely thank the Church and all Christians for their fervent prayers for the President’s speedy recovery and the nation. From the day we came into power and whenever our nation is faced with difficulties, the Church has risen up in prayers for God’s intervention. We quite appreciate this support.”

In his message, Bishop David Abioye of the Living Faith Church, Abuja, thanked the vice-president, for his loyalty to God and the nation. He said “we have seen in the vice-president truthfulness and sincerity. Openly and secretly, his heart beat is always towards the quick recovery of President Umaru Yar’Adua. His commitment and goodwill have always revolved around pray for the speedy recovery of the President and the nation in general, and I assure you we are standing with you in prayers that the President will come back safely.”

The Bishop urged Christians to always be thankful to God not only in the things which they can see but in things which they are yet to see as this will pave the way for God’s blessings.

He said thanksgiving was an expression of confidence for what God is about to do and not murmuring.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/28122009/news/news1.html

Yes! there is an urgent need for CHANGE. First by our leaders, and the people, Let those who are stealing public fund,
steal no more. Then God will indeed heal our land.

For God says---if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and PRAY, and SEEK my face, and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS,
then will i hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and WILL HEAL THEIR LAND. (2CHRONICLES 7;14)
So calling for prayers alone cannot heal our land if we don't humble ourselves and turn away from our wicked ways.

VP! NOW THAT THE PRESIDENT IS SICK, THE CALL FOR REPENTANCE BEGINS WITH YOU.

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