A 26-year-old Nigerian Masters student, Somtochukwu Okwuoha, has been found guilty of making terrorist threats against Dundee University, raising serious concerns about campus safety and national security.
Okwuoha, an international energy studies student, claimed to have enlisted the support of ISIS to bomb the university and openly declared his intentions to carry out a chemical attack on the city. The jury convicted him on seven charges related to his threatening behavior, leading to his immediate remand in custody.
The sentencing is scheduled for next month, where Sheriff William Wood will also consider the Crown's request for an order to deport Okwuoha back to Nigeria. The trial revealed chilling details of Okwuoha's threats, including plans for mass murder on the Dundee University campus and assertions of having a military background, bomb-making capabilities, and the ability to unleash a deadly virus on the city.
During the trial, Keith Mackle, a retired director of student services, testified about the serious concerns that arose in the autumn of 2021. University staff received alarming emails containing terrorist threats, with Okwuoha specifically stating, "Expect a massive bomb explosion at the University of Dundee. I have contacted ISIS terrorists to plant bombs on campus."
The threats escalated, with Okwuoha warning of a level of violence surpassing 9/11, promising that "blood will spill, and flesh will be scattered." Accommodation officer Shane Taylor recounted Okwuoha's accusations of racism and his disturbing declaration of plans to wipe out Scottish people as an act of revenge.
Okwuoha, currently in custody at Perth, was found guilty on multiple charges, including threatening to murder university staff, committing terrorist crimes, planning mass murder, using biological weapons, revealing staff details to international authorities, and claiming to have planted bombs at Dundee University. Additionally, he was convicted of threatening to behead police officers and detonate the alleged bombs on campus.
The case raises serious concerns about campus security and underscores the importance of vigilant measures to ensure the safety of educational institutions and the broader community. As the sentencing approaches, it remains to be seen how the court will address the issue of deportation and what further implications this case may have on national security discussions. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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