Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has taken swift action following an altercation involving the crew of ValueJet and popular Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Keyamo disclosed that he had received detailed reports and video footage from relevant aviation agencies regarding the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, August 7, 2025.
Describing the scene as a “temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides,” the Minister expressed deep concern that the situation could have resulted in serious fatalities if not for prompt intervention.
“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 to take position on the runway for take-off. This is totally unacceptable behaviour,” Keyamo stated.
He likened the musician’s action to a hostage situation, emphasizing that the issue was not about whether he was carrying water or alcohol, but the fact that he physically obstructed an aircraft in motion.
Keyamo further condemned the actions of the aircraft crew, stating that “no amount of provocation should make the Captain and Pilot begin to taxi without ensuring that the security personnel have safely moved an unruly passenger away.”
He maintained that both parties were guilty of breaching international aviation safety standards, citing regulations under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
While acknowledging the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) temporary suspension of the Captain and Pilot’s licenses pending a full investigation, the Minister criticized the agency’s decision to sanction only the airline crew.
“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,” he said.
