Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian who allegedly tried to blow up a US plane, had "sneaked" into Nigeria on December 24, a day ahead of the failed terror bid, country's information minister has said.
"The man in question had lived outside the country for a while. He sneaked into Nigeria on December 24, 2009 and left the same day," Dora Akunyili, Nigerian information minister said.
23-year-old Abdulmutallab had tried to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight 253, an Airbus 330, carrying 278 passengers from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day.
"Nigerian security agencies are working hand in hand with international security agencies on this matter," she said.
The Minister added the suspects father, Umar Mutallab, who is a "responsible and respected Nigerian" had already reported his concern about his son's activities to the relevant American authorities.
"The father has already expressed deep shock and regrets over the son's actions," she said.
Akunyili insisted that country's airports were safe and have passed through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) security audita and the American Transportation security administration audit in November.
"However in the light of new developments, we have reinforced our security systems at all airports," she added.
{{/usCountry}}"However in the light of new developments, we have reinforced our security systems at all airports," she added.
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