There are many more just like me: Bomber’s boast to FBI agents as Al Qaeda issues photo and says 'he was one of us' Read more: http://www.dailymail.c

By David Williams
Last updated at 7:28 AM on 29th December 2009

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* Bomber tells FBI more terrorists are waiting in Yemen
* He tried to board without a passport, claims passenger
* It's unlikely to be single-handed plot, says Alan Johnson
* Suspect on UK watch list after applying to bogus college
* Family warned security services two months ago
* MI5 in hunt for accomplices and links in London

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

In custody: US Marshals today released the first picture of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab since his attempt to blow up a transatlantic flight

Al Qaeda announced last night that it was behind the Christmas jet bomb plot.

The terrorist group said it provided Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab with a 'technically advanced device' but it had failed to detonate because of a fault.

A statement posted on Islamist websites said the attack was a response to U.S. attacks on the group in Yemen.

It showed a picture of Abdulmutallab referring to him as Umar Farouk al-Nigiri - the Nigerian.

'He managed to penetrate all devices and modern advanced technology and security checkpoints in international airports bravely without fear of death,' said the statement.

'Relying on God and defying the large myth of American and international intelligence, and exposing how fragile they are, bringing their nose to the ground, and making them regret all they spent on security technology.'

The 23-year-old was arrested after he used a syringe to try to ignite explosives sewn into his underwear aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit.

He has told the FBI he was tutored in terrorism while living for a month with a senior Al Qaeda commander in Yemen.

He is said to have warned that other young men are being trained there to bring down U.S. airlines, boasting: 'There are plenty more like me.'

And in an extraordinary twist which will increase concerns over security failures, an American lawyer claimed he had watched at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport as Abdulmutallab was assisted by a 'second man' as he tried to board without a passport.
Al qaeda

'He went in bravely without fear of death': Abdulmutallab pictured by Al Qaeda alongside its statement

Under arrest: The moment the bomber was held. The picture was taken on a mobile phone by hero passenger Jasper Schuringa

Under arrest: The moment the bomber was held was captured by passenger Jasper Schuringa

Kurt Haskell, who was standing in line with his wife Lori on Christmas morning, said the Nigerian was with a man aged about 50 of Indian appearance in an expensive suit talking with the ticket agent.

Mr Haskell said the second man claimed Abdulmutallab was from Sudan and had no passport. The ticket agent referred the men to her manager down the hall, and Mr Haskell did not see Abdulmutallab again until after the failed bombing.


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If true, the claim would represent an astonishing breach of security at a major international airport and a flagrant disregard of both U.S. government and airline policy.

U.S. authorities did not comment on Mr Haskell's claims but Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano admitted on U.S. television that the aviation security system had 'failed'.

Abdulmutallab (in red jacket) with schoolmates on a trip to London in 2001

Abdulmutallab (in red jacket) with schoolmates on a trip to London in 2001

A Dutch military police spokesman said: 'At this moment we have no information on whether there was another guy. We are checking all clues and information we get.'

He said the Dutch counterterrorism agency was reviewing CCTV recordings to check out the accomplice story. In a statement last night,

President Barack Obama said: 'A full investigation has been launched into this attempted act of terrorism. We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists.

'Those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know that the United States will do more than just strengthen our defences,' said Mr Obama.

Checks

Boyish innocence: Abdulmutallab pictured seven years before he allegedly tried to bomb a plane

Boyish innocence: Abdulmutallab pictured seven years before he allegedly tried to bomb a plane

'We will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable.

'We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us, whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia, or anywhere.'

In London, Home Secretary Alan Johnson revealed that the 23-year-old had been placed on a UK watch list this year after authorities refused to renew his student visa.

He said police and MI5 were examining whether the deeply-religious son of one of Africa's richest men had been radicalised during three years studying engineering at University College London.

He also hinted at the involvement of others, adding: 'We don't know yet whether it was a single-handed plot or there were other people behind it - I suspect it's the latter rather than the former.'

Mr Johnson did not elaborate on his belief that Abdulmutallab had received help, but Scotland Yard detectives and MI5 have both been focused on the importance of his London links.

He is reported to have 'crossed the radar' of MI5 while in the UK officers are seeking to establish whether he had contact with extremists.

Throughout the weekend search teams combed the £2million flat in a mansion block in Mansfield Road, close to Oxford Street, where Abdulmutallab lived in the capital with some of his 15 brothers and sisters.

Confirming that Abdulmutallab had been refused a new visa in May and placed on a watch list, Mr Johnson said it would have prevented him entering the UK but allowed him to pass through a British airport to another country. The U.S. authorities should have been informed of this, he added.

Abdulmutallab was also on a U.S. watch list, although it allowed him to travel on planes flying into the country.

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Comments (236)

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He looks dead inside..... no soul

- railroad, Austin, TX USA, 28/12/2009 18:18
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The biggest problem is the quality of the 'security' personel at all levels who fail to do their job.

- Chris Bradley, UK, 28/12/2009 18:08
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One point that others seem to have missed. When he was "studying" in London, he was most certainly depriving an indigenous Briton of a place at University. There are far too many British people losing out to foreigners in our own education system. All arranged by politicians who enjoyed a free education at my expense.
- Fred, Horsham, 28/12/2009 12:26

"One point that others seem to have missed." - maybe because it's probably not true?

And he was studying, not "studying" - you do know that UCL is one of our top universities and that foreign students pay a lot more to be here than our own students, thus subsidizing them?

- Colin Runeckles, Ilford, Essex, 28/12/2009 18:06
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Time to bring back the death penalty for these people, threaten to kill like this and you get the chop. These people view us in the west as weak and ineffectual because we pander to their whims.

We are not a world power, militarily or financially and it's time we stopped behaving like we are. We are only 2nd order at best.

- timbo, Essex, UK, 28/12/2009 18:04
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Reform the human rights act and the PC brigade.

- Dave, Treharris, S. Wales, 28/12/2009 17:59
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Well I for one in this country have little faith in our government to protect us. We have to get real and recognise where the threat is from and then act accordingly and cease this political correct behaviour and use common sense.

- Rick, Teesside, 28/12/2009 17:58
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