Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the behavior of popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as K1 De Ultimate, following an incident that occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday.
The confrontation, which was caught on video and widely circulated online, showed K1 engaging in a heated exchange with airport officials and ValueJet crew members.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the altercation began when the musician was stopped by security officials from boarding his ValueJet flight due to alleged non-compliance with safety protocols, including reportedly trying to take an unapproved item – suspected to be a drink – on board.
In a statement released on Thursday, Keyamo said he had received official reports and video evidence from relevant aviation agencies regarding the incident. While investigations are still ongoing, the minister said preliminary findings suggest a “temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides,” warning that the situation could have resulted in fatal consequences.
“Contrary to the claims made by Kwam 1’s team, he repeatedly moved on the tarmac to block the aircraft from taxiing toward the runway,” Keyamo said. “This conduct is totally unacceptable and is akin to a hostage situation.”
The minister stressed that the debate over whether the substance the musician carried was water or alcohol was irrelevant in the face of a more serious offence – physically obstructing an aircraft.
Keyamo also called out the ValueJet pilot and captain for their unprofessional response, stating that under no circumstances should they have initiated taxiing while a civilian was still on the tarmac.
“Both sides breached standard safety protocols required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),” he stated.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has already moved to suspend the licenses of the captain and pilot involved in the incident. However, the minister expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as “selective disciplinary measures.”
“Justice must be even-handed. What applies to the goose must apply to the gander. I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass,” he said.
As part of immediate corrective measures, Keyamo directed the NCAA to place Kwam 1 on a no-fly list pending the conclusion of the investigation.
He also ordered that all domestic and international airlines operating within Nigeria be notified of the directive, warning that failure to comply could result in withdrawal of their operating licenses.
The incident has sparked wide debate across social media, with many Nigerians divided over whether the action taken against the artist is justified or excessive.
While some argue that celebrities must be held to the same standards as other citizens, others believe the matter could have been handled with more diplomacy.
