that terrorism must be condemned in all its ramifications and that peace loving Nigerians must not allow themselves to be contaminated by an alien culture of the slaughter of innocent people under any guise whatsoever.
It will be recalled that on Christmas Day 2009, whilst on board Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit, Umar, after performing his ablutions in the toilet, proceeded to detonate a bomb sewn into his underpants that was undetected in Lagos and Amsterdam airports. The devise did not detonate fully but caught fire burning him and a side of the plane before startled passengers and crew overpowered him and doused the fire, thus preventing an almost certain catastrophe for the jet liner and its 300 occupants.
The case has since gone on trial with Umar showing no contrition for his actions. He admitted that he was on a suicide mission for al Qaeda and described his bomb as a “blessed weapon” to avenge Muslims who have been killed or poorly treated around the world. His behaviour in court betrayed a troubled mind. A novice in law, he did himself no favours when he sacked his lawyer and pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him, including terrorism.
The verdict was a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
We sympathise with the Mutallab family who did all they could to avoid this incident altogether. Mr. Mutallab (senior) warned both the U.S. embassy and Nigerian authorities about the menacing posture of his son whose incessant preaching of radical Islam earned him the accolade of ‘Alfa’ among his classmates. He was let down by the authorities he confided in and who ought to accept some blame for their part in failing to prevent an act of terrorism.
Whatever anyone may feel about the sentence, there is no doubt that Umar went through a thorough judicial process in which his rights were fully protected. The Nigerian embassy personnel were visibly present at his trials and rendered whatever help they could to facilitate the course of justice. By contrast, here in Nigeria, no member of the Boko Haram has passed through a proper judicial process. Suspects are herded into prison custody from where regretfully a number of them have either escaped or were rescued and freed at gunpoint by their friends. If the threat of the Boko Haram is to be contained, accused persons should be quickly brought to justice.
Following his sentence, Umar has given notice of appeal. We trust that the American criminal justice system will review his case as appropriate with thoroughness.
Nonetheless, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab has given the country a bad name. He has emerged as Nigeria’s first suicide bomber; truncating an erstwhile notion that suicide mission was completely alien to our culture. In his wake, there are now so many imitators of a technique abhorrent to many Nigerians. Nigerian passengers who were never noted for terrorism are now being hassled at airports.
The learning point for Nigerian parents is to be mindful of what their children are up to. Teachers and the community at large should be concerned in this internet age about morality and behaviour of children. Indeed some foreign doctrines are so destructive in their effect that parents may themselves become victims of the twisted minds of their own children. The Mutallabs meant well for Umar and gave him a privileged upbringing. It is now clear that neither poverty nor wealth can insulate a people from acts of terrorism. Parents must hope and pray that their wards are not led into destructive temptation.
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