The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered that popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, be placed on a no-fly list over his disruptive conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Keyamo described the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, August 7, 2025, as “akin to a hostage situation” after the artist was seen obstructing a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing to the runway. The Minister made the directive in a strongly-worded statement issued on Thursday following his review of official reports and video footage submitted by aviation authorities.
“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,” Keyamo said. “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.”
According to him, the footage clearly shows that the musician physically blocked the aircraft’s path, disrupting its attempt to taxi. “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,” Keyamo stated. “This is totally unacceptable behaviour. It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here, which is akin to a hostage situation.”
The minister said the argument over whether the singer was carrying water or alcohol was immaterial to the gravity of the offence. “That is not the issue here,” he added. “The real issue is the endangerment of passengers’ lives and violation of aviation safety rules.”
While condemning K1’s actions, Keyamo also criticised the pilot’s response.
“No amount of provocation should make the captain and pilot of an aircraft begin to taxi without ensuring that security personnel have safely moved an unruly passenger away who is standing in front of an aircraft,” he said.
He noted that both the musician and the flight crew acted irresponsibly, breaching standard safety protocols as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). “Both sides breached safety standards,” he stressed.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has since suspended the pilot’s licence, pending the outcome of a full investigation. While commending the move, Keyamo faulted the disciplinary action for being one-sided.
“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,” he said. “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.”
In line with that position, Keyamo directed that K1 also face disciplinary consequences. “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,” he said.
“All airlines, both domestic and international, should immediately be informed of this directive, and anyone who flouts this directive risks withdrawal of their operating licence,” the minister added.
