A Kenyan man convicted of plotting a 9/11-style attack in the United States was sentenced to life in prison by a federal court on Monday. Prosecutors described the case as a chilling attempt to replicate the 2001 terrorist attacks by hijacking a commercial plane and crashing it into a skyscraper.
Cholo Abdi Abdullah, who joined the Somali-based terror group Al-Shabaab, allegedly trained at a flight school with the intention of flying a plane into one of Atlanta’s tallest buildings, including the 55-story Bank of America Plaza.
Federal authorities arrested him in the Philippines just before he could complete his flight training and obtain a commercial pilot’s license.
Abdullah, 34, was convicted on November 4, 2024, by a federal jury in Manhattan on six counts, including conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and conspiring to commit aircraft piracy.
“Abdullah was terrifyingly close to bringing his murderous plans to fruition,” prosecutors said, emphasising that his capture prevented what could have been a catastrophic attack. Authorities were tipped off after Abdullah revealed his involvement with Al-Shabaab to his mother, who then alerted law enforcement.
Stay updated with our weekly newsletter. Subscribe now to never miss an update!
Federal prosecutors sought the life sentence, arguing that Abdullah remains a serious threat to innocent lives worldwide.
Beginning in 2016, at the direction of al-Shabaab leaders, Abdullah commenced pilot training in the Philippines to prepare for hijacking a commercial aircraft and crashing it into a U.S. building.
His training included obtaining pilot’s licenses and researching methods to breach cockpit doors. He also conducted online research on the tallest buildings in major U.S. cities and sought information on how to obtain an American visa.
Abdullah’s arrest in 2019 and subsequent extradition to the United States thwarted a potentially devastating attack. His life sentence reflects the gravity of his intentions and serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism globally.
