EXTRAORDINARY – AT 7:37 A.M. ET:  The Nigerian family of the airline terrorist has now issued a public statement, extraordinary for its forthrightness and moral dignity.  Some highlights:

Our family, like the rest of the world, were woken up in the early hours of Saturday, 26th December, 2009 to the news of an attempt to blow up a plane by a young Nigerian man, who was later identified as Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab. Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab is the son of Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru AbdulMutallab, the head of this Family.

Prior to this incident, his father, having become concerned about his disappearance and stoppage of communication while schooling abroad, reported the matter to the Nigerian security agencies about two months ago, and to some foreign security agencies about a month and a half ago, then sought their assistance to find and return him home.

This confirms reports that the family did notify authorities, including "foreign" (apparently meaning American) authorities of the son's behavior.

The disappearance and cessation of communication which got his mother and father concerned to report to the security agencies are completely out of character and a very recent development, as before then, from very early childhood, Farouk, to the best of parental monitoring, had never shown any attitude, conduct or association that would give concern. As soon as concern arose, very recently, his parents, reported it and sought help.

Note the phrase "any attitude, conduct or association that would give concern."  The gun is smoking.

The family will continue to fully cooperate with local and international security agencies towards the investigation of this matter, while we await results of the full investigation.

Fair enough.  Fine statement. 

December 28,  2009