FG Breaks Silence: Kwam 1 Suffered ‘Temporary Loss Of Sanity’ During Airport Drama

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has addressed the recent airport incident involving ValueJet and popular Fuji musician, Ayinde Marshall, better known as K1 De Ultimate or Kwam 1.

On August 5, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended two ValueJet pilots for breaching safety procedures at the Abuja airport terminal.

According to preliminary reports, the pilots began taxiing without receiving mandatory pre-departure clearance — a serious safety violation that endangered ground staff and other airport users. The violation reportedly followed a disturbance on board the aircraft, allegedly triggered by Kwam 1’s behaviour.

Witnesses claimed the musician was drinking from a flask suspected to contain alcohol — a banned substance on Nigerian flights. A flight attendant tried to intervene. In a subsequent statement, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) disclosed that Kwam 1 attempted to board the plane carrying an unidentified liquid, ignoring repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) and the aircraft captain.

In his official response on Thursday, Minister Keyamo described the altercation as a “temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides,” which could have resulted in grave consequences.

He strongly condemned Kwam 1’s actions, particularly his alleged attempt to block the aircraft’s movement on the tarmac, likening it to a hostage situation.

“I’ve reviewed reports and video footage from all relevant aviation agencies regarding the confrontation between ValueJet staff and Kwam 1 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 7, 2025,” Keyamo stated.

“My initial assessment is that both parties acted in a manner that compromised safety protocols. Regardless of the provocation, physically obstructing an aircraft from taxiing is completely unacceptable. Whether the liquid was alcohol or not is secondary to the reckless act of blocking an aircraft, which poses a serious safety threat.”

Keyamo further criticized the flight crew for proceeding with taxiing while Kwam 1 was still on the tarmac, stating that both sides violated international aviation safety standards as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

While acknowledging the NCAA’s decision to suspend the pilots, the Minister expressed concern over what he called “one-sided justice.”

“I commend the NCAA for its swift action against the pilots, but justice must be even-handed. I have therefore directed the NCAA to immediately place Kwam 1 on a no-fly list, pending full investigation. All airlines, both domestic and international, must comply with this directive or risk the suspension of their operating license,” Keyamo concluded.