US Senator Riley Moore Claims Old Dominion Terror Attacker Met ISIS Operatives in Nigeria as Investigation Expands!

Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (journalist) | Sele Media Africa

A United States senator has alleged that the extremist responsible for the deadly attack at Old Dominion University had previously met operatives linked to the so-called Islamic State network in Nigeria. The claim has intensified scrutiny over the suspect’s possible international connections as federal investigators deepen their inquiry into the incident.

The attack occurred on March 12, 2026, when Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a 36-year-old former member of the Virginia Army National Guard with a prior terrorism conviction, opened fire inside a classroom at the Norfolk, Virginia campus. The shooting left one person dead and two others injured before students participating in the university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program confronted and killed the gunman.

Authorities later identified the victim as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, an ROTC instructor and decorated U.S. military pilot. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has classified the incident as an act of terrorism and launched a wider investigation into the attacker’s motives, background, and possible links to extremist networks.

Senator Raises Claims of Nigerian Extremist Links
According to statements circulating on social media and cited by several media outlets, Senator Riley Moore alleged that Jalloh had previously travelled to Africa and met individuals associated with Islamic State operatives in Nigeria before carrying out the attack.

While the claim has drawn attention across political and security circles in the United States, investigators have not publicly confirmed any operational link between the gunman and extremist groups based in Nigeria. Federal authorities say they are reviewing the suspect’s travel history, communications, financial records, and ideological influences as part of the ongoing probe.

Nigeria has long battled insurgent groups connected to global jihadist movements, including factions that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and operate primarily in the country’s northeast. These groups have carried out deadly attacks across the Lake Chad Basin and have contributed to one of Africa’s most complex humanitarian crises.

History of Radicalisation and Prior Conviction
Court records show that Jalloh was previously convicted in 2016 for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State. He received an 11-year federal prison sentence but was released in December 2024 after serving approximately eight years.

Investigators had earlier determined that he attempted to acquire weapons and had been influenced by extremist propaganda, including teachings attributed to radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

The circumstances surrounding his early release and how he was able to obtain a firearm despite his criminal record have prompted criticism from lawmakers and security analysts. Several experts argue the case exposes potential weaknesses in the monitoring of individuals previously convicted of terrorism-related offenses.

Campus Response and Ongoing Investigation
Following the shooting, Old Dominion University temporarily suspended classes while students and faculty processed the aftermath of the violence. University officials and military authorities praised the swift actions of ROTC cadets who intervened, saying their response likely prevented additional casualties.

Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies are continuing to examine the suspect’s digital footprint, travel movements, and personal networks to determine whether he acted alone or maintained contact with extremist elements abroad.

Security analysts say the case highlights the evolving challenges of counter-terrorism efforts in an era where radicalisation can occur through online propaganda, transnational extremist networks, and lone-actor mobilisation.

Sources
Associated Press (AP News); The Washington Post; The Wall Street Journal; New York Post; Yahoo News; Punch Nigeria.

Mustapha Labake Omowumi

Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

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