The announcement was made on Thursday by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, during a press briefing.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that popular Fuji musician and staunch loyalist of President Bola Tinubu, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as K1 De Ultimate, will 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.
Gistcore had 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.
It was 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 the media.
“He poured water on the female pilot and threatened to deal with her because he knows the president and people in the presidency,” a source who witnessed the confrontation told SaharaReporters.
According to multiple sources, trouble began when Kwam 1 was spotted drinking from a personal flask onboard the aircraft.
A flight attendant, suspecting the flask contained alcohol, which is prohibited during domestic flights, politely asked the musician to surrender it. Kwam 1, however, refused, claiming it was a medicinal prescription from his doctor.
Unwilling to comply with cabin crew instructions, the crew had no option but to deboard the veteran singer.
Furious and defiant, Kwam 1 allegedly stormed to the front of the aircraft in a last-minute attempt to prevent the plane from departing.
It was gathered further that the Fuji artist was standing in front of the aircraft while visibly distressed ground personnel attempted to intervene.
In a reckless and dangerous move, the aircraft, still under the control of ValueJet crew, initiated takeoff procedures, forcing Kwam 1 and airport staff to hurriedly duck under the wings to avoid being hit.
The pilots took off without proper clearance from the control tower, according to the NCAA.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had also confirmed the unruly conduct of the musician in a press statement issued on Wednesday by Mrs Obiageli Orah, FAAN Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Mrs Obiageli, in her statement, confirmed that Wasiu Ayinde spilled alcohol on aviation personnel when they attempted to verify the content of a flask he wanted to travel with.
The statement reads: “Preliminary investigations confirmed that the passenger was scheduled to board the morning flight to Lagos operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201). During boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the Flight Captain.
“In accordance with international aviation security standards specifically, Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17-liquids exceeding 100ml are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared. The passenger was informed of this regulation but reportedly declined to comply.
“As boarding continued, an airline security officer asked the passenger to step aside for further clarification. The passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol. The Flight Captain intervened but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft door.
“At this juncture, the passenger moved to the front of the aircraft and refused to leave the area despite repeated requests. He was ultimately escorted away by AVSEC crime unit for further investigation, after which he was released.
“FAAN reiterates its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all passengers, crew, and airport personnel. The Authority will not tolerate any actions that compromise operational integrity or undermine aviation safety standards, regardless of the individuals involved.
“This matter remains under thorough investigation, and all parties found culpable will be held accountable according to the law.“
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