NIGERIA TV INFO — INTERNATIONAL / SECURITY

Two Men Charged Over Alleged IS-Inspired Bomb Plot Outside New York Mayor’s Residence

Two young men have been charged with terrorism-related offences after authorities said they attempted to carry out a bombing during a protest outside the residence of New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

The suspects, identified as 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, were arrested after allegedly attempting to detonate explosive devices near Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York mayor.

According to police, the incident occurred on Saturday during an anti-Islam protest taking place close to the mayor’s residence. Authorities said none of the explosive devices detonated as intended.

Investigators stated that the suspects allegedly prepared two explosive devices which were thrown during the protest. A third device was later discovered inside a vehicle linked to the pair.

Video footage from the scene reportedly showed one of the suspects being detained shortly after lighting one of the explosives, which ultimately failed to explode.

The commissioner of the New York City Police Department, Jessica Tisch, said the suspects admitted during questioning that they had been inspired by the extremist group Islamic State and had watched propaganda videos linked to the organisation.

Tisch added that investigators have found no previous criminal record for either suspect, though the case is being treated as a serious terrorism investigation.

Authorities said further inquiries are ongoing to determine whether the suspects had links to any wider extremist networks.