Festus Keyamo SAN,Minister of Aviation orders no-fly directive for King Wasiu Ayinde over airport drama, warns local and international carriers of licence withdrawal for non-compliance.
In a bold directive aimed at reinforcing aviation safety and discipline, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has ordered all airlines, domestic and international not to fly popular Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. The directive comes after a dramatic altercation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, that violated aviation safety protocols.
Keyamo warned that any airline that flouts the no-fly directive by allowing KWAM1 on board risks having its operating licence withdrawn.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had earlier blacklisted the musician from flying within Nigeria for six months after he reportedly caused a disturbance while attempting to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The incident escalated when KWAM1 was stopped from boarding with a liquid substance, believed to be either water or alcohol, prompting a confrontation with aviation security.
According to reports and video evidence obtained by the minister, the musician repeatedly moved onto the tarmac, physically blocking the aircraft from taxiing a move Keyamo likened to a "hostage situation."“Contrary to what his agents claimed, KWAM1 constantly blocked the aircraft from taxiing toward the runway. This is unacceptable and a serious safety breach,” Keyamo stated.
The situation worsened when, despite the disruption, the aircraft’s Captain and Pilot initiated taxiing without confirming the area was cleared of the unruly passenger. In response, the NCAA has suspended both pilots pending a full investigation.
Keyamo acknowledged that both parties were at fault, describing the event as a “temporary loss of sanity” on both sides. He criticized the NCAA for initially acting against only the pilots, insisting that fairness demands equal accountability. “What applies to the goose must apply to the gander,” he said. “I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass.”
Keyamo further directed that KWAM1 be placed on a no-fly list immediately, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. He instructed the NCAA to circulate this order to all airlines, stressing that any breach of this directive will result in swift sanctions, including possible license revocation. The incident has sparked intense debate about the enforcement of aviation laws and the role of high-profile individuals in upholding public safety.
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