Posted on 06/16/2004 6:59:17 AM PDT by flutters
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- High-ranking officials said the arrest of a Columbus terror suspect won't be the last in Ohio's capital city, NewsChannel 4's Elenora Andrews reported.
The FBI and Ohio's terrorism task force say they are still tracking terror in the city. A key federal official told NewsChannel 4, "There is more to come" in Columbus, Andrews reported.
Ohio's top law enforcement officials said the arrest of Nuradin Abdi, 32, who was accused of planning to blow up a Columbus-area shopping mall, should serve as a wake-up call.
"Understand that we are at war with terrorism, we are at war with an enemy that has no flag, and we are at war with an enemy that has no uniform," said Ohio State Highway Patrol Col. Paul McClellan said.
Federal officials said the public might not have noticed anything unusual about Abdi, and his family said people shouldn't. But high-ranking FBI officials told NewsChannel 4 that surveillance and evidence seized from Abdi, including cell phones and computers, show otherwise.
On Tuesday, the FBI told NewsChannel 4 that agents previously contacted some Columbus-area shopping malls. Key federal officials also said the government expects to make another arrest in connection to terrorism, Andrews reported.
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and Safety Director Mitchell Brown worked with federal officials on Abdi's arrest.
"This is an example where we've worked closely with the FBI and federal authorities, and a threat has been taken off our streets," Coleman said.
The mayor said the city is assisting in the continuing investigation and is aggressively using police and fire resources, including $12 million in federal funding. Officials said the anti-terror tactics won't be noticed, but said they are working.
"The fact that we're able to work at it without alerting or causing any undue concern for our citizens shows you the effectiveness of the task force," Brown said.
Local and federal officials maintain that Columbus is safe, but said they need the community to report any activities they believe may be suspicious.
Abdi's detention hearing will be held Wednesday in federal court. Abdi's brother said his family has hired a San Diego attorney who will fight the government's plea to deny bond.
MESSAGE TO THE USA - If we in Ohio are having bomb plots hatched against us, then you are ALL at risk.
Does anyone know which "Columbus area mall" this guy was targetting?
Thanks for the ping Tony.
I guess our government's policy of relocating the Somalli's to Ohio was a bad idea......................
This from The Columbus Dispatch:
The third man suspected of plotting to blow up a shopping mall in the Columbus area is the man whose apartment was raided by a federal anti-terrorism task force last week, three federal sources confirmed yesterday.
Christopher Paul, who had shared a Northwest Side apartment with admitted al-Qaida supporter Iyman Faris, is said to be under "close surveillance."
Unconfirmed, but my sources say Polaris................
Polaris
Nobody has said which mall yet but, I bet the management at Easton, Polaris and Tuttle are worried. Probably not much interest in City Center though. I don't think there is anyone left there to do any worrying.
How in the heck do you blow up a mall?? Large fertilizer truck?
"If we in Ohio are having bomb plots hatched against us, then you are ALL at risk."
Yes, I think that is their point. Ohio, the Heart of it All. Symbolically safe middle-America. They want us to feel unsafe, "terrorized", everywhere . . .
Ohio is on of the swing states in play for the November election. It's been ever so slightly leaning toward Bush. I wonder if this wake up call will move the Ohio electorate more in Bush's direction.
"relocating the Somalli's to Ohio was a bad idea"
want to bet the liberals won't see any connection?
"The fact that we're able to work at it without alerting or causing any undue concern for our citizens shows you the effectiveness of the task force," Brown said.
Local and federal officials maintain that Columbus is safe, but said they need the community to report any activities they believe may be suspicious.
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