Breaking: Nigerian Removed from Same Flight As Christmas Attack

US News • Views: 2,631

Another Nigerian man was taken into custody today aboard the same Northwest Airlines flight that was attacked on Christmas.

DETROIT — A passenger onboard the same Northwest Airlines flight that was attacked on Christmas Day was taken into custody in Detroit on Sunday after becoming verbally disruptive upon landing, officials said.

A law enforcement official said the man was Nigerian and had locked himself in the airliner’s bathroom. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

Delta Air Lines spokeswoman Susan Elliott said crew members requested that security remove the man from Flight 253 after he became disruptive. The remaining 255 passengers got off safely, she said. Airport spokesman Scott Wintner said it was the same flight on which a man tried to set off an explosive on Christmas Day.

UPDATE at 12/27/09 4:44:11 pm:

No terror attack this time — just someone being airsick: Sick Nigerian Prompts Security Alert in Detroit.

About a half hour later, the Homeland Security press secretary, Sara Kuban, released a statement, sorting out what had happened on the flight.

“A passenger on today’s Northwest flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit spent an unusually long time in the aircraft lavatory,” she said in the statement. “Due to this unusual behavior, the airline notified T.S.A. and the agency directed the flight to taxi to a remote area upon landing to be met by law enforcement and D.H.S.

“The passenger in question, a Nigerian national, was removed from the flight and interviewed by the F.B.I.; indications at this time are that the individual’s behavior is due to legitimate illness, and no other suspicious behavior or materials have been found. Though this does not appear at this time to be a security incident, in an abundance of caution, the aircraft was fully screened, with negative results, and all baggage is being rescreened before the aircraft taxis to the gate.”

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23 comments
1 solomonpanting  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 11:59:23am
A law enforcement official said the man was Nigerian and had locked himself in the airliner’s bathroom.

Musturd gas?

2 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:00:21pm

Wow, stupid or bold? I'm thinking stupid.

3 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:00:48pm

Did we radicalize the Nigerians with all the jokes about the scam e-mails?

//

4 solomonpanting  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:07:26pm

re: #3 SanFranciscoZionist

Did we radicalize the Nigerians with all the jokes about the scam e-mails?

//

The radicalization of Islamists in Nigeria is a problem.

5 Randall Gross  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:08:02pm

re: #2 Killgore Trout

Wow, stupid or bold? I'm thinking stupid.

You have to wonder if this isn't someone who balked, as suicide bombers sometimes do

6 Randall Gross  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:09:07pm

On the other hand it could be entirely unrelated and just someone who's drunk, we'll have to wait and see I guess.

7 Mocking Jay  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:09:23pm

re: #3 SanFranciscoZionist

Did we radicalize the Nigerians with all the jokes about the scam e-mails?

//

Here's a good way to waste an afternoon: 419Eater

8 _RememberTonyC  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:09:26pm

i have often wondered why these terrorists like reid and the guy from Christmas day didn't do their evil work in the bathroom where they'd not be seen. so now that we have seen someone lock themself in the bathroom, i think it would be prudent to have a hidden camera in the bathroom on planes so that the crew can observe anyone who has been in there for an unreasonably long time.

9 Killgore Trout  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:10:22pm

re: #6 Thanos


On the other hand it could be entirely unrelated and just someone who's drunk, we'll have to wait and see I guess.


Could be anything. Some reports say he was in the bathroom for over an hour and became abusive. Might be a drunk, an idiot or a jihadi.

10 Randall Gross  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:10:44pm

re: #8 _RememberTonyC

i have often wondered why these terrorists like reid and the guy from Christmas day didn't do their evil work in the bathroom where they'd not be seen. so now that we have seen someone lock themself in the bathroom, i think it would be prudent to have a hidden camera in the bathroom on planes so that the crew can observe anyone who has been in there for an unreasonably long time.

Those guys with "shy bladders" would have a terrible time going if that were the case...

11 Nene1  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:13:42pm

re: #7 JasonA

There are lots of such sites.
My favourite is EbolaMonkeyMan

12 Bob Dillon  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:14:08pm

re: #8 _RememberTonyC

i have often wondered why these terrorists like reid and the guy from Christmas day didn't do their evil work in the bathroom where they'd not be seen. so now that we have seen someone lock themself in the bathroom, i think it would be prudent to have a hidden camera in the bathroom on planes so that the crew can observe anyone who has been in there for an unreasonably long time.

[Link: www.myfoxtwincities.com...]

Plane Bomb Suspect Chose Vulnerable Seat

13 Mocking Jay  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:14:19pm

re: #11 Nene1

These guys have earned every bit of humiliation they get.

14 _RememberTonyC  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:14:22pm

re: #10 Thanos

Those guys with "shy bladders" would have a terrible time going if that were the case...

then let's keep it as our little secret ...

15 Gus  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:14:35pm

Will wait to hear more. Last time it started out as someone "just setting off firecrackers."

16 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:17:33pm

re: #9 Killgore Trout

Could be anything. Some reports say he was in the bathroom for over an hour and became abusive. Might be a drunk, an idiot or a jihadi.

That's the problem, isn't it?

17 Joo-LiZ  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:24:33pm

re: #4 solomonpanting

I had heard the Christmas Day attacker was radicalized in London, Britain.... just sayin'

18 solomonpanting  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:27:34pm

re: #17 Joo-LiZ

I had heard the Christmas Day attacker was radicalized in London, Britain... just sayin'

That wouldn't surprise me.

19 Semper Fi  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:31:19pm

re: #8 _RememberTonyC

i have often wondered why these terrorists like reid and the guy from Christmas day didn't do their evil work in the bathroom where they'd not be seen. so now that we have seen someone lock themself in the bathroom, i think it would be prudent to have a hidden camera in the bathroom on planes so that the crew can observe anyone who has been in there for an unreasonably long time.

Or some signal indicating he's not done yet. That's what Paul Newman had to do in the bushes. "I'm shakin' it, Boss, I'm shakin' Boss". Just thinking back.

20 Gus  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 12:40:09pm

Reading a report on CNN:

The passenger spent about an hour in the bathroom and got upset when he was questioned by the crew of the flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands, according to government sources. Law enforcement agents were questioning the man Sunday.

In light of recent events why was this passenger allowed to remain in the bathroom for one hour? Should they have been more aggressive in removing the passenger from the bathroom?

Same flight, same airports, same country of origin, and Delta/NWA let this man sit in the bathroom for one hour?

21 stevedecatur  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 1:17:57pm

re: #20 Gus 802

Who the heck on a plane is going to physically remove a fit, young African from the bathroom? The dumpy middle age old flight attendants? The flight crew that should be keeping the cockpit locked in a potentially escalating disturbance and possible distraction? Are there enough air marshals on these flights?

22 Ojoe  Sun, Dec 27, 2009 1:34:46pm

re: #20 Gus 802

Should they have been more aggressive in removing the passenger from the bathroom?

A flushable compartment floor comes to mind.

23 Sacred Plants  Mon, Dec 28, 2009 6:38:43am

It appears that the loss of trust among aircraft users cannot realistically be compensated by an increase in surveillance and nursing, since any perceived security in a restricted situation is still prone to spontaneous flashbacks which might further aggravate the contradiction between equality and commensurability in the treatment of the passengers on their trip.

The situation of aircraft users is precarious in many respects. To name only the economic one, global air traffic is subsidized by dual-use military budgets, blanket oil consumption tax breaks and irresponsible infrastructure stimulus programs, and is currently occupying resources at projected growth rates capable of choking entire central banks. It does not come as a surprise that the customers of such kind of business cannot trust each other.


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