A 26-year-old Master’s student at Dundee University, Scotland, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison by the Perth Sheriff Court in the United Kingdom (UK). Somtochukwu Okwuoha, an international energy studies student, will also face deportation.
Okwuoha, who arrived in the UK in 2021, claimed to have a military background and allegedly enlisted the terrorist group ISIS to help him bomb the university. He reportedly told staff members about his plans to target the city in a chemical attack.
Sheriff William Wood stated during the sentencing, “Your presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good, and I make a recommendation for your deportation in due course.”
Additionally, Okwuoha was said to have formed a friendship with a fellow student who rejected his advances. Following the rejection, Okwuoha allegedly became abusive towards her and attempted to have her removed from her university course.
The court heard that Okwuoha threatened mass murder, terrorism, and claimed he would plant bombs and use biological weapons. In emails sent to staff members, he made chilling statements such as, “Expect a massive bomb explosion at the University of Dundee. I have contacted ISIS terrorists to plant bombs on campus,” and “Blood will spill, and flesh will be scattered.”
Keith Mackle, a retired director of student services, testified that serious concerns arose in the autumn of 2021 when staff members received threatening emails.
The charges against Okwuoha included threatening to murder university staff and commit terrorist crimes between December 2021 and June 2022. He was also found guilty of threatening to behead police officers and detonate bombs planted at Dundee University.
