Pyrates Applaud Festus Keyamo’s Swift Action In Kwam 1, Emmanson Controversies

The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), widely known as the Pyrates Confraternity, has praised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his handling of recent incidents involving Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, and Comfort Emmanson.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The association described the decision to reduce sanctions against Kwam 1 and to urge the withdrawal of criminal complaints against Emmanson as commendable moves.

In a statement signed by NAS Cap’n, Dr. Joseph Oteri, the group highlighted that Keyamo’s focus on de-escalation, reconciliation, and capacity building for aviation security personnel was a welcome approach to restoring public trust in the sector.

“From the beginning, NAS maintained that our stance was not to excuse misconduct, but to ensure that all offenders—whether prominent or unknown—face equal and lawful consequences for violating aviation safety rules,” Oteri stated.

He noted that the Minister’s balanced approach—acknowledging wrongs on all sides and reviewing the cases holistically—matched NAS’s call for fairness that is “corrective, not selective.”

The association cautioned that clemency should not be misinterpreted as a green light for misbehaviour within the aviation industry.

“While compassion is noble, deterrence remains essential. Moving forward, passengers and airline staff alike must understand that safety regulations are non-negotiable, and enforcement must be impartial—unaffected by status, influence, or public sentiment,” Oteri stressed.

NAS also commended Keyamo’s directive for a retreat aimed at retraining aviation security staff and reassessing airline personnel conduct.

The association called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and airline operators to ensure transparent enforcement and boost public awareness on passenger behaviour and penalties.

“Air travel is a shared responsibility. Passengers must obey safety protocols; airlines must uphold professionalism; and regulators must enforce the law equally. If these principles are respected, the recent controversies can become a turning point toward safer and fairer skies,” Oteri concluded.