LAGOS, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian federal government on Saturday expressed dismay over the report of an attempted terrorist attack on a U.S. airline.

This was made known in a statement issued in Abuja, the country's capital city, by the Minister of Information and Communications, Dora Akunyili.

"The Federal Government of Nigeria received with dismay the news of attempted terrorist attack on a U.S. airline," the statement reaching here said.

The Airbus 330 with 278 passengers on board took off from Amsterdam and was about to land in Detroit when the man allegedly attempted to detonate the device.

"We state very clearly that as a nation, we abhor all forms of terrorism," it said.

"The Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has directed Nigerian security agencies to commence full investigation of the incident," the statement added.

"While steps are being taken to verify the identity of the alleged suspect and his motives, our security agencies will cooperate fully with the American authorities in the on-going investigations," the statement said.

"Nigerian government will be providing updates as more information becomes available," it added.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says itis investigating the arrest of the Nigerian in the U.S. for being in possession of explosives in an aircraft.

Harold Demuren, NCAA's director general, told reporters in Lagos that the matter was being investigated.

"We are investigating it very carefully and we are watching the development," the official said.

The suspect, who was identified as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, has been described as a Nigerian by the U.S. authorities.

He was alleged to have boarded a KLM flight in Nigeria en route Amsterdam to Detroit. The airline claimed the connection in Amsterdam involved a change in carrier.

Security operatives in Lagos said they were meeting over the incident to determine whether the suspect was actually a Nigerian.

The securities officials said they would also investigate how the suspect was able to beat the security operatives with the item.

Delta Airline also said in a statement in Lagos that it was cooperating with security agencies over the incident.

The airline advised that all inquiries should be directed to law enforcement agencies investigating the incident.

"All media calls should be referred to the TSA on 877-632-7327," the airline said.