ROMULUS, Mich. -- A passenger on an international flight bound for the United States Friday ignited a small explosive device shortly before landing.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said "passengers may notice additional screening measures put into place to ensure the safety of the traveling public on domestic and international flights," following what the White House is calling an "attempted terrorist attack".

U.S. officials say a Northwest Airlines passenger from Nigeria said he was acting on behalf of al-Qaida when he tried to blow up a flight Friday as it landed in Detroit.

The flight began in Nigeria and went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit.

Federal officials identified the man as Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, of Nigeria, according to NBC.

According to published reports, U.S. intelligence officials said the explosive device was a mix of powder and liquid. It failed when the passenger tried to detonate it.

NBC reports the man told investigators he wanted to set off a bomb over the United States and the incident is being handled as a possible terrorism attack by both law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Officials said the man is being treated at the burn unit of the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

The White House issued a statement saying President Obama was informed about the incident as he vacationed in Hawaii. The President spoke with his Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism advisors. The statement said the President "instructed that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel. The President is actively monitoring the situation and is receiving regular updates."