Minister to NCAA : Place KWAM 1 on no-fly list now

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place legendary Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, on a no-fly list following a serious safety incident at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

In a post on his official X account (@fkeyamo) on Thursday, the minister also directed the NCAA to alert both domestic and international airlines of the order without delay.

Keyamo warned that any airline operator who disobeys the directive could face sanctions, including withdrawal of operating licenses.

The no-fly order stems from an altercation involving KWAM 1 and two ValueJet pilots—Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba—which ultimately led to the suspension of the pilots’ licenses.

The minister did not hold back in his criticism of all parties involved, describing their actions as reckless and dangerous.

“My preliminary impression of the incident was a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides, adding that this could have led to serious fatalities,” he said.

“I have received reports from all the relevant aviation agencies regarding the altercation between the staff and crew of ValueJet and Kwam 1 at Abuja airport on Tuesday, August 7, 2025, with video footage of the incident.

“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.

“The issue of whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not even an 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,” he stated.
Keyamo also criticised the pilots’ decision to proceed with taxiing under the circumstances.
“No amount of provocation ought to make the captain and co-pilot of an aircraft to begin to taxi without security personnel having safely moved an unruly passenger away from the front of an aircraft,” he said.

He concluded that both parties had violated standard aviation safety protocols as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.