Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has reacted strongly to the recent airport incident involving Fuji music icon Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as Kwam 1, and ValueJet airline, describing the confrontation as a serious breach of aviation safety that could have ended in disaster.
The incident, which occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on August 7, followed an earlier disciplinary action taken by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on August 5, when it suspended two ValueJet pilots for a separate safety violation at the same airport terminal.
According to preliminary findings, Kwam 1 allegedly blocked the aircraft from taxiing on the tarmac during a commotion onboard. He was reportedly seen drinking from a flask, raising suspicions from a flight attendant who believed it might contain alcohol — a banned substance during flights.
In a statement released Thursday, Keyamo said video footage confirmed that Kwam 1 repeatedly moved in front of the aircraft, preventing it from taxiing, a move he described as “akin to a hostage situation.”
“This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour,” Keyamo said. “The issue is not about whether he was carrying water or alcohol. It is the physical obstruction of a moving aircraft that is reprehensible.”
Keyamo, however, also criticized the ValueJet pilots, stating that they should not have initiated taxiing procedures while the situation on the ground was clearly unsafe.
“No amount of provocation should make the Captain and Pilot begin to taxi without ensuring the area was clear,” he said. “Both sides breached international aviation safety protocols.”
The Minister noted that while the NCAA had already suspended the licenses of the pilots involved, justice required a balanced approach.
“In the circumstance, I have directed the NCAA to place Kwam 1 on a NO-FLY LIST pending full investigation, just like the Captain and Pilot. All domestic and international airlines are to be informed immediately.”
The statement signals a tough stance from the federal government on aviation safety and misconduct, especially involving high-profile individuals. Keyamo also hinted at further investigations and potential sanctions for all parties involved.
