http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/nigerian-in-aircraft-attack-linked-to-london-mosque-1851452.html

The older Mutallab, as at the time of filing this report, had just left his Katsina hometown for Abuja to speak with security agencies, family sources say. According to the family members, Mutallab has been uncomfortable with the boy’s extreme religious views and had six months ago reported his activities to United States’ Embassy, Abuja and Nigerian security agencies.

The older Mutallab was said to be devastated on hearing the news of Abdul Farouk’s attempted bombing arrest. A source close to him said he was surprised that after his reports to the US authorities, the young man was allowed to travel to the United States.

The family home of the Mutallabs in Central London, is currently being searched by men of the Metropolitan Police.

http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-371868.0.html

THEWILL has also learnt that Umar is an engineering student at the University College London.

http://thewillnigeria.com/breaking/3336-Northwest-Bomber-Son-Nigerias-First-Bank-Chairman-Mutallab.html

The Foiled Nigerian terrorist attack in Detroit took place on the day of Christmas and according to the latest update, the terrorist in question is admitted in a hospital for burn injuries. 23-year old, Nigerian, Abdul Mudallad was traveling to Detroit from Nigeria via Amsterdam in Northwest Airlines, flight 253, carrying explosives which he claimed to have acquired from Yemen. The passengers supposedly ‘heard popping noises’ and ‘blinking lights’, and according to the flight officials, one of the passengers ‘jumped the man responsible’. The Nigerian terrorist has also been identified as Umar Farouk Abdul Mudallad, and the authorities are still trying to put an official id on him.

The Nigerian terrorist attack was foiled when the man responsible was subdued by the passengers , in response to which he tried to detonate the explosive the carried. He is being said to be Al-Qaeda related though the fact has not been officially confirmed. The incendiary device that he carried is being reported to be ‘a mixture of liquid and powder’. The man was unable to light the device, but whether it was the faulty device or the terrorist’s mistakes is yet unknown. The Amsterdam airport authorities have declined to comment on the fact that the terrorist managed to board the flight carrying such heavy explosives instead of the security measures at airport which is also one of the busiest one’s in Europe,

If not foiled, the Nigerian attack in Detroit could have been a major incident taking the lives of as many as 289 people on-board the flight. The latest updates say that this was a terror attack against the US and even the Nigerian terrorist said that ‘he had wanted to set-off the bomb over the US’.

http://breakingnews.gaeatimes.com/2009/12/26/foiled-nigerian-terrorist-attack-in-detroit-latest-updates-650/

Another report from AP:

U.S. officials say a Northwest Airlines passenger from Nigeria said he was acting on behalf of al-Qaida when he tried to blow up a flight Friday as it landed in Detroit.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., identified the suspect as Abdul Mudallad, a Nigerian. King said the flight began in Nigeria and went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit.

One of the U.S. intelligence officials said the explosive device was a mix of powder and liquid. It failed when the passenger tried to detonate it.

The passenger was being questioned Friday evening.

Both of the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing.

Emphases added

http://breakingnews.gaeatimes.com/2009/12/25/ap-sources-northwest-passenger-who-tried-to-blow-up-detroit-bound-flight-linked-to-al-qaida-629/