Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a 34-year-old Kenyan national, has been convicted by a U.S. federal jury for plotting a 9/11-style terrorist attack on American soil. Acting on behalf of the Somali-based extremist group al-Shabaab, Abdullah had planned to hijack a commercial airliner and crash it into a high-rise building in the United States. His target was the 55-story Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta, Georgia, a symbolic and heavily populated structure.

His conviction on March 25, 2025, followed six terrorism-related charges, including conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy, and attempting to kill U.S. nationals. Prosecutors have described him as a highly trained, dangerous individual, with aviation skills that could enable him to carry out an attack in the future. Abdullah now faces a potential life sentence, with his sentencing adjourned to April 7, 2025, after he requested new legal representation.

Abdullah’s journey into terrorism began in 2015 when he became more religious and started following the teachings of Anwar al-Awlaki, an extremist preacher linked to al-Qaeda. Influenced by radical ideology, he joined al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group that has carried out numerous deadly attacks in East Africa.

After joining the group, Abdullah underwent extensive training in Somalia, where he learned to handle firearms, manufacture explosives, and conduct guerrilla warfare tactics. His recruitment was part of a broader al-Shabaab strategy to train operatives for large-scale international attacks.

In line with al-Shabaab’s growing focus on global terrorism, Abdullah was selected for a highly specialized mission—learning how to fly commercial airplanes. The group financed his aviation training in the Philippines, where he spent several years obtaining the necessary flight certifications.

During this time, he conducted extensive research on the 9/11 attacks, including methods for breaching cockpit doors. His communications with al-Shabaab operatives via Facebook messages revealed detailed discussions about his training, funding, and future attack plans. Prosecutors noted that by the time of his arrest in 2019, Abdullah was “inches away” from securing his commercial pilot’s license, which would have allowed him to carry out his intended attack.

While Abdullah was training in the Philippines, some of his associates in al-Shabaab were involved in the January 2019 DusitD2 attack in Nairobi, Kenya. That terrorist attack, which left over 20 people dead, was orchestrated by al-Shabaab operatives, including individuals from the same safe house where Abdullah had previously stayed.

Ali Salim Gichunge, one of the masterminds of the DusitD2 attack, was also a Kenyan recruited by al-Shabaab. Although there is no confirmed direct collaboration between Gichunge and Abdullah, both were part of al-Shabaab’s Kenyan recruitment network and received training within the group’s structure.

Abdullah’s plot was thwarted in July 2019 when authorities in the Philippines arrested him before he could complete his commercial pilot training. His arrest was reportedly facilitated by his own mother, who had become aware of his radicalization and alerted authorities. Following his capture, he was extradited to the United States, where he cooperated with U.S. law enforcement, revealing details of his training and communications with al-Shabaab leaders.

Despite his cooperation, U.S. prosecutors have maintained that Abdullah remains a significant threat due to his specialized skills and deep ties to the terrorist network.

Throughout his trial, Abdullah opted to represent himself, leading to a guilty verdict on all six charges. However, during his sentencing hearing, he requested new legal representation, prompting the judge to delay his final sentencing to April 7, 2025.

Prosecutors are pushing for a life sentence, arguing that Abdullah’s training and expertise make him an ongoing risk. In their sentencing memorandum, they described him as a “high-risk terrorist” with the ability to hijack a commercial aircraft, emphasizing that his conviction was a crucial counterterrorism success.

Al-Shabaab remains one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations in Africa, responsible for numerous attacks in Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda. The group’s expansion beyond the region, as demonstrated by Abdullah’s case, highlights its ambitions to target Western countries.

While U.S. authorities have hailed Abdullah’s conviction as a significant victory in the fight against terrorism, experts warn that al-Shabaab continues to recruit and train operatives for potential future attacks. The conviction underscores the need for ongoing vigilance in countering extremist threats both in East Africa and globally.

With Abdullah now awaiting sentencing, his case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by terrorist organizations and the importance of international cooperation in preventing such attacks.