Family Of Terror Suspect Releases Statement

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) - The family of the Nigerian man accused of trying to bring down a U.S.-bound airliner says he disappeared while studying abroad.

In a statement released Monday morning, the family of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab says that after his "disappearance and stoppage of communications while schooling abroad," his father reached out to Nigerian security agencies two months ago. The statement says the father then approached foreign security agencies for "their assistance to find and return him home."

The family says: "It was while we were waiting for the outcome of their investigation that we arose to the shocking news of that day."

The statement did not offer any specifics on where Abdulmutallab had been.

FULL TEXT:

Our family, like the rest of the world, were woken up in the early hours of Saturday, 26th December, 2009 to the news of an attempt to blow up a plane by a young Nigerian man, who was later identified as Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab. Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab is the son of Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru AbdulMutallab, the head of this Family.

Prior to this incident, his father, having become concerned about his disappearance and stoppage of communication while schooling abroad, reported the matter to the Nigerian security agencies about two months ago, and to some foreign security agencies about a month and a half ago, then sought their assistance to find and return him home. We provided them with all the information required of us to enable them do this. We were hopeful that they would find and return him home. It was while we were waiting for the outcome of their investigation that we arose to the shocking news of that day.

The disappearance and cessation of communication which got his mother and father concerned to report to the security agencies are completely out of character and a very recent development, as before then, from very early childhood, Farouk, to the best of parental monitoring, had never shown any attitude, conduct or association that would give concern. As soon as concern arose, very recently, his parents, reported it and sought help.

The family will continue to fully cooperate with local and international security agencies towards the investigation of this matter, while we await results of the full investigation.

We, along with the whole world, are thankful to Al-Mighty God that there were no lives lost in the incident. May God continue to protect us all, amen.

Finally, as the matter is being investigated by the various agencies, and has already been mentioned in a US court, the family requests that the press should regard this as the only statement it will make for now.

Thank you.

Signed
The Mutallab Family

Abuja, Nigeria

Comments

[Jolimont]

02:50 AM on 12/29/2009

I would like to praise this family for the honorable way in which they acted by reporting what they knew. We need more people like you in all parts of the world and in all religions.

[HoosierRadical]

08:10 PM on 12/28/2009

The bin Laden family needs to take lessons from this family.

[Jaxy]

07:59 PM on 12/28/2009

This is disheartening. I lived in Nigeria for many years and there were occasional religious riots and cultural uprisings in the northern part of the country - which is majority Islamic - against the much smaller Christian communities.

I recall a campaign of terror in Bauchi State during 1991, when fundamentalists were reported to have randomly stopped people in the streets and demanded that they recite a specific Koranic verse that even the least pious Muslim would know. Anyone who could not recite the verse was then given a "choice" of how they would die: either have their throat cut, or be tossed into a well.

Sadly, Nigeria should have made the list of potential new al-Qaeda outposts given the violent reaction of some radicals a few years ago, when the Miss Universe competition was held there. Some hapless journalist commented that the Prophet Muhammad himself might have selected a wife from amongst the delegates. She was rewarded with having a mob call for her head. So very sad.

[BraunSugar]

02:54 PM on 12/30/2009

You rightly painted the scenario in Bauchi and most of northern Nigeria in general. The truth is that; as a Christian from Kaduna (southern) State of Nigeria, where (Kaduna City) I lived over 35 of my entire 38 years....we have to put up with social, political, economic and all kind of terrorism all thanks to the elitist northern oligarchy of which this kids father belongs and is even considered a custodian. This wannabe bomber's Christmas day infamous act just happens to be in a position to attract global attention....my hope is that as a result of this, the world and the authorities in Nigeria would pay more attention to the plight of the suppressed in my dear homeland (Nigeria).

[violettefemme]

07:34 PM on 12/28/2009

His parents and family must be in so much pain and confusion themselves, yet wrote such a graceful letter, and are not hiding, but shining light on the situation.

You can do everything right, but once they leave the nest, they are what they are.

[realpolitic]

05:48 PM on 12/28/2009

Almost all of these involved terrorist plots are done by the upwardly mobile and highly educated. It is really a problem for the west who must try to stay a couple steps ahead of these educated minds. However, the highly educated are most likely offended by our policies and not as much by some deeply held hatred of the west. In fact, most have lived in the west like the 9-11 bombers and this man who went to a fancy college in London.

[Suntio]

10:43 PM on 12/28/2009

I don't think that they come to hate the West after living here, I think they have a deep seated hatred of the West from the beginning but take advantage of everything the West has to offer to advance their own lives or to learn about it so they can destroy it.

[realpolitic]

03:18 AM on 12/29/2009

I think they hate our policies, especially the educated elite. I think they see Muslims dying every day as a result of our military campaigns abroad and develop a deep seated resentment of Western governments and culture.

[firedup4change]

03:46 PM on 12/28/2009

Law abiding parents.... what else can be asked from them? This is purely USA security failure, thanks God no live was lost. Time to start taking responsibilities on the part of US govt.. News media should also start highlighting the courage of the parents too and stop sensationalizing the whole thing. Too much prejudice and stereotyping all for the sake of making more money.

This kind of spoilt brat of a boy can emerge from anywhere; that's a fact ! The Nigerians I know love life and suicide attack will be something very strange in their society. I know they have problems with Islamic people from North Nigeria (where this bomber emanated from), democracy and corruption in their country, but they are generally just very different from rest of Africans; happy, smart, highly educated and westernized. If this can happen from Nigeria, it can happen in ANY country really.

[Durango]

04:42 PM on 12/28/2009

Get the Corporate Media to quit sensationalizing the story?

What are you? Mad?.

Good honest reporting from people who know what they are talking about?

That is not the (modern) American Way.

[bigbirdlittlefeet]

03:44 PM on 12/28/2009

Remember, The Mutallab Family is Muslim and no one is talking that they are good, moderate and progressive Muslims.

Remember, their son became an extremist while was in UK, during his higher education.

[Durango]

04:28 PM on 12/28/2009

That is the profile of al Qaida. It is not an organization of the poor or oppressed. It's members tend to be well educated and familiar with the West.

Which is a large part of the radicalization process that occurs.

Keep in mind that while it is in part a reaction to modern Western culture it is in fact a struggle within the Ilsamic world.

A struggle that can be won only by Muslims.

But the fact al Qaida or their clones has not gained power in any nation not devastated by war is a sign of optimism.

Their idea of the perfect Caliphate world is not shared by many Muslims.

[614banker]

02:57 PM on 12/28/2009

The way the parents acted is nothing short of responsible and admirable. Questioning how the family wealth was made is besides the point. It's clear that the Dad is very well eucated and rose to the rank of Chairman of a bank; certainly no ordinary feat. The familiy's dignity must be preserved and not soiled by some nonentities in a far away land sitting at a computer in their mom's basement. The kid is clearly the "blacksheep" and will get what he deserves for attempting to take human lives and for bringing shame to his family, nation and the whole African continent / diapora. Just talk to any African today and see the rage in their face at the kind of shame and bad name this kid brings to the entire continent. The Mutallab family have clearly dinstinguished themselves as a family of honor who truly believe in the common humanity we all share. They have defended this common humanity against someone who happens to be born within the family but does not share their values. Salute to this family.

[Thoughts2345]

03:18 PM on 12/28/2009

Very well said. Thank you

[eddiesengola]

03:19 PM on 12/28/2009

This maybe Al CIA' Da inside job,

Check this out, someone on the other list said this:

Umar, a non-U.S. citizen, was allowed to board this flight at Schiphol without a passport. See the Detroit newspaper story about this. That's the real story here. Think about it. Would they let YOU board a plane for the U.S. without a passport? Esp. if you're not even a U.S. citizen?

So who allowed this to happen? Who overruled the desk agent at Schiphol? Why is this not the main story here?

[dxz]

10:28 PM on 12/28/2009

I hope this is not a plot to destroy Obama's Presidency by those who do not believe in cooperation. This boy was given a multiple entry visa. His father's warning was not taken seriously and now, it appears that he might have boarded the plane without his passport at Amsterdam. This warrants decisive investigation. The right have been trying to stick terrorism incident on him and I hope Obama can now see clearly what is going on. Thank God no-one died,

[eddiesengola]

02:52 PM on 12/28/2009

I also suspect he was manipulated by Western intelligences to do this. Hey, who knows? Nigeria has oil, you know.

[gbrooks]

03:46 PM on 12/28/2009

Maybe. But it's now an excuse to esca|ate in Yemen, which borders 0man, which happens to be just to the South of..........................Iran.

[Durango]

04:40 PM on 12/28/2009

Check your map.

[ckesegi]

04:55 PM on 12/28/2009

Geography is not your strongest suit, is it?

[f252863]

04:41 PM on 12/28/2009

Wow, talk about paranoid, you would make 9/11 conspiracy theorists proud.

[NoMoreLeft]

02:50 PM on 12/28/2009

He hs no crotch. Thats enough punishment

[gbrooks]

03:46 PM on 12/28/2009

Not for attempting to take out over 200 civi|ians.

[den1953]

02:37 PM on 12/28/2009

I am sorry but i haven't always raised my kids in the way they wanted it but none of them wanted to commit mass murder and have much more respect for there own life some thing in this mans life style is screwed up !

[fromdnorth]

09:35 PM on 12/28/2009

How do you know, den1951???

You hardly speak English let alone know what others think or do or why they do it...

If "arrogant" or "delusional" were not such big words, they might have applied to you...

[K M D]

01:46 PM on 12/29/2009

"this mans life style is screwed up"

.....you say that based on.....what, exactly?

[Gallas]

02:31 PM on 12/28/2009

Brave parents.

[archeDeWashington]

01:42 PM on 12/28/2009

I scare that alqaida may use my country to destroy the world. People are angry about what is going on there.

Please save my people.

www.okonda.com/please_save_my_people.html

Thanks

[eddiesengola]

02:47 PM on 12/28/2009

I am afraid to say the only way to stop Alquaeda to stop using your people would be for the USA and Western Corporations to stop looting ( which is the cause of the Congo) , the mineral wealth of Congo.

All these companies from Cisco to Alcatel and hundred electronic companies in the USA are using coltan to produce cell-phones, airplane engines. Without coltan, there would not be way to build a cell-phone or an Iphone and the only country that has coltan (85% of the whole world) is Congo.

Obama should know this problem, and it's interesting that when Obama was elected as the USA President, the puppet and terrorist soldier used by Kagame and Museveni, who goes by the name Nkunda, returned to Rwanda.

[SansArc]

07:03 PM on 12/28/2009

The looting is allowed by no one other than the consumer. The problems you highlight is also something the media will not show as well. Why would CBS show the mineral looting in the Congo when they want to get advertising from Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Samsung and many, many others during football sunday? Blood diamonds was a silent problem until it finally hit the publics eye. People pressured De Beers to track their diamonds. People have to want to know where the products they purchase derive from. Better yet they have to wonder how the people who are building their products are being treated. If these issues you highlight do not reach the public eye it will continue to be "industry first". Otherwise thank you eddiesengola for bringing light to an otherwise silent problem in our world.

[eddiesengola]

02:49 PM on 12/28/2009

This comment is pending approval and won't be displayed until it is approved.

I am afraid to say the only way to stop Alquaeda using your people would be for the USA and Western Corporations to stop looting ( which is the cause of the Congo Genocide) , the mineral wealth of Congo.

All these companies from Cisco to Alcatel and hundred electronic companies in the USA are using coltan to produce cell-phones, airplane engines. Without coltan, there would not be way to build a cell-phone or an Iphone and the only country that has coltan (85% of the whole world) is Congo.

Obama should know this problem, and it's interesting that when Obama was elected as the USA President, the puppet and terrorist soldier used by Kagame and Museveni, who goes by the name Nkunda, returned to Rwanda.

[kkrimmer]

01:14 PM on 12/28/2009

Like Bin Laden, from a wealthy family, and many of the 9/11 hijackers were college educated...

[FirstBiteBooks]

02:31 PM on 12/28/2009

True. It's important to know that he similar to Mohammed Atta and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed became radicalized AFTER studying in the West.

[linton]

01:08 PM on 12/28/2009

Huh????