CITIZENS COMPASS—The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Thursday, placed a six-month no-fly ban on the popular Fuji Star, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM1.
The ban followed the scene created by the singer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The drama reportedly unfolded on Tuesday as he was about to board ValueJet flight VK 201. According to eyewitnesses’ accounts, KWAM1 attempted to bring a flask containing an unidentified liquid onto the aircraft.
Sources at the airport claimed that when confronted by aviation security and the flight captain, KWAM1 allegedly insisted the flask held prescribed medication and refused to hand it over. The situation spiraled when he was said to have poured the liquid believed to be alcohol on a security officer during the confrontation.
In a shocking twist, the singer was also accused of obstructing the aircraft’s movement by standing in its path while it prepared to taxi. Officials were forced to intervene, describing the act as a direct breach of aviation safety protocols.
Following a review of the incident, the NCAA barred KWAM1 from flying for six months, citing violations of aviation safety regulations. The fallout didn’t stop there. Two pilots on the flight were also suspended by the authority for initiating departure procedures without resolving the situation, which could have posed a serious risk to passengers.
However, in a swift response, KWAM1’s media team denied the allegations, insisting the flask in question only contained water sourced from the airport lounge. They described the artist’s behavior as calm throughout, claiming he neither poured anything on anyone nor blocked the plane.
They further alleged that senior officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and ValueJet later apologized to the singer and even offered him a private jet as a peace gesture. An offer KWAM1 reportedly turned down.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned KWAM 1 and the pilot.
Keyamo on his X Handle in a post titled, “The incident involving Valuejet and KWAM 1,” wrote:
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 5, 2025. I have also received video footage 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.
“Contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 has 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 standard safety protocol as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
I have noted that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has temporarily suspended the license 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 this circumstance, 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.
