Following the drama that ensued between KWAM 1 and the officials of Value Jet Airline on Tuesday in Abuja, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, has directed airport authorities to suspend Wasiu Ayinde, a juju musician also known as KWAM 1, from flying within Nigeria for six months.
Keyamo gave the directive the directive via a post on his official X account on Thursday.
He said the ban should be placed pending the outcome of an investigation into an incident involving the musician and ValueJet at Abuja Airport on Tuesday.
The musician and some officials of ValueJet had a scuffle at the tarmac of the Abuja airport on Tuesday over alleged infringement of airport rules by the musician.
The minister said he had reviewed reports and video footage from relevant aviation agencies and concluded that both the musician and the aircraft crew acted in ways that breached safety protocols.
“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 7, 2025. I have also received video footage of the incident.
“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.
“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 the 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.
“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.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said it would comply with the minister’s directive immediately.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said this during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
He alleged that the musician had contravened some aviation safety and protocol rules by his conduct at the airport on Tuesday, for which he would not be exempted.
He said all those involved in the incident would be investigated and prosecuted.
Achimugu said the aviation rules are global and must be respected for the safety of all.
He said the NCAA was writing to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to initiate legal proceedings against the musician.
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