(ABC Los Angeles)
On the anniversary of America’s most painful day, the country was reminded that vigilance is never ending against those who are intent on committing acts of evil. Nna Alpha Onuoha, a former TSA screener, was arrested late on Tuesday, September 10, charged with making terroristic threats regarding LAX Airport, reports CBS Los Angeles.
Federal authorities had warned of possible attack on the 12th anniversary of 9/11, reports ABC News. The FBI had warned people to vigilant. There were reports of a threat on New York’s JFK airport from al-Qaeda Chief Ayman al-Zawahri, and the reports include rumors that three Columbia University students had been recruited to commit suicide attacks.
Here’s what you need to know Nna Alpha Onuoha and the high alert at LAX…
1. Onuoha Resigned From the TSA on Tuesday
(ABC Los Angeles)
Onuoha joined the TSA in 2006 and had resigned his position on September 10. According to reports, Onuoha resigned in protest of a suspension he had received. ABC Los Angeles reports that Onuoha was suspended from his job on Tuesday 10 September for an earlier incident where he’s alleged to have told a 15-year-old girl she was inappropriately dressed.
FBI spokesperson Laura Eimller told the media:
Following his resignation on Tuesday, Onuoha allegedly left a package at TSA’s LAX Headquarters addressed to a TSA employee. The package did not contain explosives or harmful substances, but did contain an eight-page letter in which Onuoha expressed his thoughts about the incident that led to his suspension and disdain for the United States, among other opinions.
The package was destroyed by the LAPD Bomb Squad.
2. Onuoha is Believed to Have Called LAX to Tell them to ‘Evacuate’ and that he Would be ‘Watching’
After the package had been received, a man, believed to be Onuoha called the TSA office in LAX and told a worker to “begin evacuating terminals at the airport,” say the FBI. A chilling warning came as the man told the TSA he would be “watching.”
The terminals in question were all evacuated and searched, no threat was found.
3. Onuoha Was Arrested at a Church in Riverside, California
The calls were quickly linked to Onuoha and FBI agents and local police descended on his apartment in Inglewood, California. Inside his home, agents found unspecified threats that cited the anniversary of 9/11. Onuoha was later found in Riverside, California, 70 miles away. It’s reported that Onuoha was arrested at the Harvest Church. Inside his car police found suspicious packages, later is was revealed that the van was full of bibles and crosses and other religious paraphernalia, it’s further reported that suspicious items were found on church grounds.
Onuoha was identified by a security guard who had repeatedly asked the former-TSA screener to leave the church’s grounds. When the guard called the police, Onuoha was arrested by police without incident.
4. Onuaha is Charged With Making Threats Against LAX
Onuoha is being held on suspicion of making threats. The security presence in LAX has been significantly increased based on Onuoha’s threats. LAX Police Sgt. Belinda Nettles told reporters:
The safety and security of the traveling public, employees and visitors is our priority and we encourage the traveling public to report all suspicious activity. If you see something, say something. Security is everybody’s business.
5. Onuaha is a Military Veteran
While the specific details of his military service are unclear, ABC Los Angeles reports that he is a former member of the military. He was living at a veteran’s house, which is where the terroristic threats were found. Onuaha got his job at the TSA through the veteran’s house. He is a naturalized citizen of the United States.