This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
On July 2, 2019, Philippine authorities apprehended Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a Kenyan aviation student, at a hotel in Iba, Zambales, for allegedly possessing bomb-making materials.
According to Major General Amador Corpuz, Director of the Criminal Investigations and Detection Group (CIDG), Abdullah was found with a 9-mm pistol, rounds of ammunition, an improvised explosive device, and a hand grenade.
Abdullah, who had been training to be a pilot at the All Asia Aviation Academy in the Philippines since 2017, allegedly showed interest in aircraft hijacking.
General Amador stated that Abdullah had pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in 2012 and had been wanted for a long time.
