Keyamo made the announcement after receiving detailed reports and video evidence of the August 5, 2025, altercation involving K1 and the crew of ValueJet.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed the blacklisting of legendary Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, from air travel within and outside Nigeria, following a tarmac incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Keyamo made the announcement after receiving detailed reports and video evidence of the August 5, 2025, altercation involving K1 and the crew of ValueJet.
“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 footages of the incident,” he said in a personally released statement.
According to the minister, preliminary investigations revealed a troubling breakdown of order and safety by both parties involved.
“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.”
Keyamo described K1’s conduct on the airport tarmac as “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE,” dismissing claims made by the artist’s team.
“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 akin to a hostage situation. The actual video footage showing this recalcitrant behaviour is hereby attached.”
Keyamo also took aim at the ValueJet pilot, condemning the decision to begin taxiing while the obstruction persisted.
“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.”
He noted that both parties breached safety protocols outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“Both sides breached standard SAFETY PROTOCOL as required by the INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO).”
While commending the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for suspending the pilot’s license pending investigation, Keyamo insisted on equal accountability.
“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 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.”
Keyamo therefore ordered the immediate placement of K1 De Ultimate on a no-fly list and warned all airlines — domestic and international — of severe penalties for disregarding the ban.
“IN THE 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 risk withdrawal of their operating licence,” he said in a statement he personally issued.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced that popular Fuji musician and staunch loyalist of President Bola Tinubu, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as K1 De Ultimate, would be blacklisted for six months over his unruly conduct at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The announcement was made on Thursday by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, during a press briefing.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that new details have emerged on how the musician violently disrupted a scheduled flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, causing a significant breach of aviation safety protocols.
SaharaReporters gathered that the incident, which occurred on August 5 aboard a ValueJet flight, culminated in the suspension of two ValueJet pilots by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) after they defied standard safety procedures during takeoff.
Eyewitnesses who were at the scene described the musician’s behaviour as thuggish, entitled, and outrightly dangerous while speaking to SaharaReporters.
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