No-Fly Order For Kwam 1 After ‘Hostage-Like’ Tarmac Drama — Aviation Minister Reacts

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed that singer King Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1) has been placed on a blacklist following an altercation with ValueJet staff at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In the statement, Keyamo described KWAM 1’s conduct as comparable to a hostage situation and said the ban is justified. The musician is prohibited from flying domestically or internationally for six months, and any airline that carries him during this period risks losing its operating licence.

Keyamo’s statement explains:

I have reviewed reports from the relevant aviation agencies and video footage of the confrontation between ValueJet personnel and KWAM 1 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Based on the information available, my initial view is that both parties temporarily lost control — a situation that could have resulted in serious injury or worse.

Contrary to claims by KWAM 1’s representatives, he repeatedly moved into positions on the tarmac that prevented the aircraft from taxiing to the runway for take-off. That behaviour is completely unacceptable. Whether he was carrying water or alcohol is irrelevant at this point; the core issue is that he physically blocked the aircraft’s movement, an action comparable to a hostage situation. The video evidence of this conduct is attached.

Equally, no provocation should allow a captain or pilot to begin taxiing while an unruly person remains in front of the aircraft; adequate security must be ensured first.

Both sides violated safety protocols as required by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

I note that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has temporarily suspended the licences of the captain and pilot pending a full investigation, and I commend that prompt step. However, I question why action was taken against only one party — justice requires equal application of the rules. I will not allow this matter to be ignored.

Accordingly, I have directed the NCAA to place KWAM 1 on a no-fly list pending a full investigation, the same measure applied to the captain and pilot. All domestic and international airlines should be informed immediately; any airline that disregards this directive risks revocation of its operating licence.

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