The Federal Government has directed the immediate placement of popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as KWAM 1, on a no-fly list following a disruptive incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, issued the directive via a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, August 7, 2025.
The order, he said, follows a preliminary review of reports and video footage submitted by aviation agencies concerning an altercation involving KWAM 1 and ValueJet crew members.
According to Keyamo, the altercation took place on the tarmac during boarding procedures for a ValueJet flight, resulting in serious safety protocol breaches by both the musician and airline staff.
“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,” the minister stated.
Keyamo revealed that contrary to the claims by KWAM 1’s team, the musician “constantly moved his position on the tarmac to actually block the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off.” He condemned the action, likening it to a hostage situation, and declared it “totally unacceptable behaviour.”
While addressing the conduct of ValueJet crew, Keyamo faulted the captain for initiating taxiing despite the presence of an individual obstructing the aircraft’s path. “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,” he said.
The minister confirmed that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had already suspended the licenses of the captain and pilot pending a full investigation. However, he criticized the NCAA’s initial action for being one-sided.
“I have 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,” Keyamo remarked.
He then directed that KWAM 1 be placed on a no-fly list with immediate effect, pending the conclusion of investigations. All domestic and international airlines have been instructed to comply with the directive or risk having their operating licenses withdrawn.