Washington , December 26th 2009 : White House officials briefed the president Friday morning after a Nigerian man with reported ties to Al Qaeda was subdued after trying to ignite an explosive substance aboard a Detroit-bound flight.

As President Barack Obama vacations in Hawaii, officials say he’s keeping up to date on what’s described as a terror attempt on board a Northwest Airlines plane that was about to land in Detroit.

A Nigerian man was detained on the flight from Amsterdam Friday after he attempted to detonate an explosive device during landing.

The White House says Obama was notified about the incident and discussed it with security officials.

The White House is coordinating briefings for the president through the Homeland Security Department, the Transportation Security Administration and the FBI.

The suspect, identified by Rep Peter King, (R-N.Y.) as Abdul Mudallad, a 23-year-old Nigerian man known in counter-terror circles, told investigators he was acting on behalf of Al Qaeda.

Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton released a statement following the incident Friday.

“The President was notified of the incident this morning between 9:00 and 9:30 Hawaii time by the President’s military aide. The President subsequently convened a secure conference call with John Brennan, his Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism Adviser, and Denis McDonough, NSS Chief of Staff.

“He asked to arrange a subsequent secure call and in that call instructed that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel. The President is actively monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates. There is currently no change to his schedule.”

The attempted attack followed the release of a video from the Taliban showing Private First Calss Bowe Bergdahl, the only known American soldier in captivity.

The Department of Homeland Security said Friday that Secretary Janet Napolitano is monitoring the situation “closely.”