The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on a no-fly list following a serious safety breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The directive, issued on Thursday, also instructs the NCAA to notify all domestic and international airlines of the restriction, warning that any airline that fails to comply risks having its operating licence withdrawn.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, August 7, 2025, involved KWAM 1 and two ValueJet Airlines pilots — Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba — whose licences have since been suspended pending full investigation.

Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, @fkeyamo, the Minister stated:

 “From all the details so far received, my preliminary impression is that it was obviously a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides, which could have led to serious fatalities.”

Keyamo strongly condemned the actions of KWAM 1, describing the behaviour as akin to a hostage situation. He clarified that video footage confirmed the musician repeatedly moved around the tarmac and deliberately blocked an aircraft from taxiing to the runway.

 “Contrary to what the agents of KWAM 1 have said, he constantly moved his position on the tarmac to actually block the aircraft from taxiing… 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… that is the reprehensible conduct here.”

The Minister also criticised the pilots for attempting to taxi without confirming that the tarmac was cleared of obstructions, stating that both parties breached International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety protocols.

While he praised the NCAA for suspending the pilots’ licences, Keyamo expressed dissatisfaction over the initial failure to sanction KWAM 1, calling for equal treatment under the law.

“What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander. That is one of the tenets of justice I have preached all my life. I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass.”

As investigations continue, KWAM 1 will remain banned from flying, and airlines have been warned of strict consequences for non-compliance.