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The man who was accused of trying to light his underwear on fire and blow up a Northwest Airlines plane over Detroit on Christmas Day in 2009 pleaded guilty on Wednesday.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 24-year-old Nigerian national, entered his plea in a Detroit court against the wishes of his lawyers.

Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253, an Amsterdam-to-Detroit route, on Dec. 25, 2009 as it approached Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport. The flight had 279 passengers and 11 crewmembers on board.

"Today's plea removes any doubt that our courts are one of the most effective tools we have to fight terrorism and keep the American people safe," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

Abdulmutallab said in court that he made the attempt to retaliate for the killing of Muslims around the world.

He called his underwear bomb a "blessed weapon to save the lives of innocent Muslims." His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, and he faces life in prison.