Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Nigeria Launches Investigation into Airline Incident

   VOA News 26 December 2009
   Cars  are  parked  outside  Murtala Mohammed in Lagos, Nigeria, 26 Dec
   2009

Photo: AP

   Cars  are  parked  outside  Murtala Mohammed in Lagos, Nigeria, 26 Dec
   2009

   The  Nigerian  government  says  it has launched its own investigation
   into  the  apparent  attempt  by a Nigerian man to ignite an explosive
   device aboard an international flight bound for Detroit.
   In  a  statement released Saturday, Nigerian Information Minister Dora
   Akunyili  said  measures are being taken to verify the identity of the
   suspect   - named as  23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab - and his
   motives. Akunyili said Nigerian security agencies will cooperate fully
   with U.S. authorities.
   Meanwhile,  a  prominent  former Nigerian bank official who says he is
   the  suspect's  father is meeting with security officials in Nigeria's
   capital,  Abuja. Alhaji Umaru Mutallab traveled to Abuja from his home
   in the Muslim dominated north.
   He  said  his  son  had been studying in London and then left there to
   travel.   The  Nigerian  newspaper  This  Day  reports  the father had
   expressed concern about his son's extreme religious views.
   The Nigerian Government says it abhors all forms of terrorism and will
   provide updates as information becomes available.

.