FAAN, NCAA Blacklists KWAM 1 for Airport Misconduct, Pilot Suspended After Incident

By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi / Posted August 7, 2025

Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate has stirred up a intense uproar in the social media which has thrust the Nigerian aviation sector is in the spotlight following a disruptive incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 5, 2025, by the musician.

Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com

In a swift response after preliminary investigation, supported by the viral video trending wildly, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have imposed a six-month blacklist on the musician, barring him from flying within Nigerian airports, after he allegedly flouted aviation safety protocols.

The decisive action, hailed by the public, underscores the authorities’ commitment to enforcing regulations impartially, ensuring the safety of all passengers, crew, and airport personnel.

According to FAAN’s press release dated August 6, 2025, the incident occurred during the boarding of ValueJet Airlines Flight VK 201 to Lagos. KWAM 1 attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance onboard, later confirmed as alcohol, despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the flight captain. Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17 prohibit liquids exceeding 100ml unless properly declared and screened, a rule the passenger was informed of but reportedly refused to follow. The situation escalated when an airline security officer asked him to step aside for further clarification, and KWAM 1 allegedly spilled the alcohol on the officer, an act constituting both a safety breach and an assault.

Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com

Despite the flight captain’s intervention, KWAM 1 resisted, and after boarding was completed, he moved to the front of the aircraft near the wing, refusing to leave despite repeated requests. A 23-second viral video posted by the NCAA on X captured this moment, highlighting the danger posed to ground staff and flight operations. He was eventually escorted away by the AVSEC crime unit for investigation and later released. The incident also led to the suspension of two ValueJet pilots, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, for initiating departure without proper clearance, reflecting the broader impact on aviation safety.

FAAN and NCAA have responded with unwavering resolve. FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, emphasized that no action compromising operational integrity or undermining aviation standards will be tolerated, regardless of the individuals involved. The authority has launched a thorough investigation, promising to hold all culpable parties accountable under the law. The NCAA’s blacklist of KWAM 1 for six months, announced on August 7, 2025, reinforces this stance, with Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs, stating that “aviation rules are made for everybody, for the protection of everybody.”

Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com

This action dismisses speculations of leniency due to KWAM 1’s perceived ties to President Bola Tinubu, a fellow Yoruba, whom he publicly supported in a January 2025 phone call, calling himself “omo Asiwaju” (Tinubu’s follower). The authorities’ swift measures, including pursuing legal proceedings through the Attorney-General and Inspector-General of Police, demonstrate a commitment to impartiality, countering claims that his ethnicity or influence shielded him.

Public reaction on social media, especially X has been overwhelmingly supportive of FAAN and NCAA. Users like @NaijaAviator praised the ban as a “strong precedent,” while @AdekunleOderind commended the authorities for ensuring a safe airspace. The incident has fueled calls for stricter enforcement, with many arguing that celebrity status should not excuse rule-breaking. KWAM 1’s media aide, Kunle Rasheed, countered that the flask contained water from the airport lounge and that the situation was mishandled, but FAAN’s findings and the video evidence contradict this, affirming the alcohol spill and disruptive behavior.

Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com

This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of adhering to aviation regulations. As investigations continue, FAAN and NCAA have reiterated its commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, safety and regulatory compliance across Nigerian airports, setting a benchmark for accountability.