…affirms punishment for both offenders
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reacted to Tuesday’s altercation between music icon King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (popularly known as Kwam 1) and the staff and crew of ValueJet at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement released Thursday, Keyamo confirmed receiving detailed reports and video footage from relevant aviation agencies on the incident, which he described as a “temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides” — a situation he warned could have ended in fatalities.
The Minister stated that contrary to claims by Kwam 1’s associates, footage clearly shows the Fuji musician repeatedly repositioning himself on the tarmac to block the aircraft from taxiing for take-off. He condemned this as “totally unacceptable behaviour” and likened it to a “hostage situation.”
“The issue of whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not even in issue at this point,” Keyamo said. “It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here.”
Keyamo also faulted the actions of the pilot and captain of the ValueJet flight, stating that no provocation justifies initiating taxi procedures without ensuring that security personnel have safely removed an individual standing in front of the aircraft. He said both parties breached international safety standards as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
While commending the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for temporarily suspending the pilot and captain involved, the Minister criticized the agency for not taking similar action against Kwam 1.
“What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander,” he emphasized. “That is one of the tenets of justice I have preached all my life.”
As a result, Keyamo has directed the NCAA to place Kwam 1 on a No-Fly List pending a full investigation, warning that any airline — domestic or international — that defies the directive risks having its operating licence withdrawn.
