Minister reinforces NCAA’s blacklist proposal, orders placement of KWAM 1 on no-fly list
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place Fuji Musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on the no-fly list of local and foreign airlines.
Speaking on his official X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Keyamo lampooned KWAM 1, saying physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing was reprehensible conduct akin to a hostage situation.
According to him, all airlines, both domestic and international, should be informed of the directive, saying any airline that flouts the directive risks withdrawal of their operating licence.
“I have received reports from all the relevant Aviation agencies regarding the altercation between the staff and crew of ValueJet and KWAM 1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 7, 2025. I have also received video footages of the incident.
“From all the details so far received, my preliminary impression is that it was obviously a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides which could have led to serious fatalities.
“I have noted that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has temporarily suspended the licence of the Captain and the Pilot pending full investigation. I commend them for their proactive action.
“However, I have also questioned their sense of justice in only acting against one party and not the other party. What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander. That is one of the tenets of justice I have preached all my life. I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass.
“In the circumstances, I have also directed the NCAA to place KWAM 1 on a no-fly list pending further and full investigation, just like the Captain and Pilot. ALL AIRLINES, both domestic and International, should IMMEDIATELY be informed of this directive and anyone who flouts this directive risks withdrawal of their operating licence.”
The Minister further disclosed that both KWAM 1 and the Pilots breached standard safety protocol as required by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
He stated that no amount of provocation should make the Captain and Pilot of an aircraft begin to taxi without ensuring that the security personnel have safely moved an unruly passenger away that is standing in front of an aircraft.
“Contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 have said, he CONSTANTLY moved his position on the tarmac to ACTUALLY BLOCK the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off. This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour. The issue of whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not even in issue at this point. It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here, which is akin to a hostage situation. The actual video footage showing this recalcitrant behaviour is hereby attached.
“On the other hand, NO AMOUNT of provocation should make the Captain and Pilot of an aircraft begin to taxi without ensuring that the security personnel have safely moved an unruly passenger away that is standing in front of an aircraft.
“Both sides breached the standard SAFETY PROTOCOL as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),” Keyamo stated.
Recall earlier the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has said popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, also known as K1 de Ultimate, will be blacklisted from flying within Nigeria for six months over alleged misconduct at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing.
“What I must assure the general public is that everybody involved in this will be brought to book.
“As we speak, the passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months flying in Nigeria, he said.
Achimugu added that aviation rules are global and made for the safety of all, stressing that no individual would be exempt from accountability.
“So, we will do everything we can to get to the root of it. Everybody who needs to be punished or sanctioned will receive justice.,” he added.
He further revealed that the agency was writing to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to initiate legal proceedings against the musician.
When asked whether Ayinde would be spared prosecution due to his close ties with President Bola Tinubu, Achimugu said both Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, were committed to upholding the rule of law.
