“Any Airline That Flies Kwam 1 Risks Losing Its License” — Keyamo Warns After Abuja Airport Incident

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has issued a strong warning to both domestic and international airlines following an incident involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The minister condemned the singer’s conduct as “unacceptable and reprehensible” after Ayinde was seen in viral videos blocking a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing on the runway. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has since blacklisted the singer for six months over the disruption, which occurred on Tuesday.

Keyamo stated that any airline that allows Ayinde to board in defiance of the no-fly directive risks immediate withdrawal of its operating license. “All airlines, both domestic and international, should immediately be informed of this directive and anyone who flouts this directive risks the withdrawal of their operating license,” he said.

FAAN, in a statement, noted that Ayinde’s behaviour violated critical safety protocols and underscored its zero-tolerance stance on aggression and disruption in aviation spaces. The incident began when Ayinde was reportedly denied boarding a Lagos-bound ValueJet flight for carrying a flask containing alcohol, which he allegedly spilled on a staff member in anger.

Following a directive from Keyamo, the NCAA also suspended two ValueJet pilots involved in the incident. The minister, while supporting the action against the pilots, emphasized that the singer’s conduct posed a more serious safety concern. “He constantly moved his position on the tarmac to actually block the aircraft from taxiing… This is totally unacceptable behaviour,” Keyamo said on X.

Describing the act as similar to a hostage situation, he added, “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.”

Ayinde will remain on the no-fly list pending the outcome of a full investigation, the minister confirmed.