East London Man Jailed for Plotting Terror Attack with Sword
Sahayb Aweys Munye Abu, 27, from East London, has been locked up after plotting a brutal terror attack. He ordered weapons, clothing, and gear online while browsing extremist Daesh websites and sharing radical views for months.
Under Surveillance Before Armed Police Strike
MI5 and the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were already on Abu’s trail. They swooped in during a proactive armed raid after he ordered a large sword online—intended for his attack.
On 12 March, Abu was found guilty of preparing terrorist acts by an 11-1 jury verdict at the Old Bailey. The next day, he received a life sentence with a minimum of 19 years behind bars.
Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Abu sought weapons and gear to commit terrorism over several months. Thanks to our officers and MI5, he’s now off the streets and poses no threat to public safety.
This case shows how police and security services work hand-in-hand to protect everyone. Every day, we target dangerous individuals before they strike.”
The Chilling Details of the Plot
- The investigation began in March 2020 after Abu’s extremist mindset raised red flags.
- In May and June 2020, he bought a lock knife, ballistic vest, balaclavas, fingerless gloves, a camouflage hat covering face and neck, and a large sword, asking for it to be sharpened.
- An undercover cop befriended Abu online and met him twice in person, where Abu discussed getting firearms.
- He was arrested on 9 July during the armed police operation.
- Officers seized Abu’s devices, uncovering extremist songs where he calls himself a “straight ISIS supporter” and sings about “heads rolling” and suicide vests.
- On arrest day, he posted calls for “9/11 2.0” in a chat group.
- His internet history showed extensive visits to Daesh-related and extremist propaganda sites.
Public Safety and Vigilance
Commander Smith stressed the importance of public alertness: “Even during Covid-19, we never slowed down our fight against terrorism. As restrictions ease and more people head out, the terror threat remains real.”
“If you see or hear anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to report it. You’re not wasting police time. The public plays a vital role in stopping attacks and saving lives.”
In an emergency, always call 999. You can also report concerns confidentially at www.gov.uk/ACT.
Free online training to help spot and stop terrorism is available at the government website.
