Keyamo Slams KWAM 1 Over Airport Incident, Orders No-Fly Ban and Pilot Suspension

|By Adejumo Adekunle

Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has described the airport altercation involving Fuji icon Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, and ValueJet staff as “a temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides.”

In a detailed post on X, Keyamo disclosed he had reviewed CCTV footage of the August 5, 2025 incident and found the singer’s actions on the airport tarmac “totally unacceptable.”

Contrary to claims by KWAM 1’s associates, the footage allegedly shows the singer repeatedly repositioning himself to obstruct the aircraft’s movement.

“Whether he was holding water or alcohol is irrelevant. What’s unacceptable is physically blocking an aircraft from taxiing. That’s akin to a hostage situation,” Keyamo stated.

He criticized the ValueJet captain and pilot for initiating taxiing without confirming that the obstructing passenger had been removed, stating that “no provocation justifies risking safety procedures.”

The Minister backed the temporary suspension of the pilot and captain’s licenses by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), pending the outcome of a full investigation.

In a decisive move, Keyamo ordered the NCAA to place KWAM 1 on a no-fly list, warning that any airline—domestic or international—that violates the directive could have its operating license withdrawn.

“All airlines must take note. The rule is clear: safety is non-negotiable,” Keyamo warned.