The Federal Government has placed Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, on a temporary no-fly list following an altercation with ValueJet airline crew at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, issued the directive on Wednesday, citing gross violation of aviation safety protocols by both Kwam 1 and the pilot involved in the incident.
The clash, which occurred on Tuesday, August 7, 2025, involved Kwam 1 allegedly obstructing a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing to the runway, an action Keyamo described as “totally unacceptable” and “akin to a hostage situation.”
In a statement released by the minister, he confirmed that video footage and reports from relevant aviation agencies showed the singer repeatedly positioning himself in front of the aircraft on the tarmac, thereby endangering the safety of passengers and crew.
> “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 for take-off. This is totally unacceptable behaviour,” Keyamo stated.
While acknowledging that the ValueJet pilot also breached safety protocols by attempting to taxi without ensuring the tarmac was clear of obstruction, the minister said disciplinary action must be balanced.
“No amount of provocation should make a pilot begin to taxi without ensuring an unruly individual has been safely removed from the aircraft’s path,” he added.
Keyamo disclosed that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had already suspended the pilot’s license pending the outcome of a full investigation. He, however, questioned the fairness of only sanctioning the ValueJet crew.
“What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander,” he said. “I have therefore directed the NCAA to place Kwam 1 on a no-fly list, pending the conclusion of investigations.”
The directive mandates all local and international airlines operating in Nigeria to enforce the no-fly order or risk having their licenses withdrawn.
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