Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has warned that any airline that disregards the no-fly directive placed on popular Fuji artist, Wasiu Ayinde also known as Kwam 1, risks having its operational licence revoked.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement on Thursday, Keyamo disclosed that the decision was based on detailed reports and video evidence provided by aviation agencies following an incident involving Kwam 1 and the crew of a ValueJet flight on Tuesday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Describing the altercation as “a momentary loss of control and decorum on both sides,” the minister warned that the situation could have easily escalated into a major safety hazard.
He said, “Contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 has said, he CONSTANTLY moved his position on the tarmac to ACTUALLY BLOCK the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off. This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour.”
The minister clarified that the nature of what the singer was carrying whether water or alcohol was irrelevant compared to the seriousness of physically blocking a taxiing aircraft.
He said, “The issue of whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not even in issue at this point. It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here, which akin to a hostage situation. The actual video footage showing this recalcitrant behaviour is hereby attached.”
Keyamo also called out the pilot and captain involved for failing to confirm the removal of the disruptive passenger before initiating taxiing procedures, calling it a clear violation of safety protocols under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines.
While acknowledging Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) suspension of the flight crew, Keyamo criticised the absence of immediate sanctions on Kwam 1. As a result, he has directed the NCAA to include the singer on a no-fly list pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation.
He said, “IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE, I HAVE ALSO DIRECTED THE NCAA TO PLACE KWAM 1 on a NO-FLY list pending further and full investigation, just like the Captain and Pilot.”
“ALL AIRLINES, both domestic and International should IMMEDIATELY be informed of this directive and anyone who flouts this directive risk withdrawal of their operating licence.”
