By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered that Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate), be placed on a no-fly list following an altercation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport involving him and staff of ValueJet.
Keyamo, in a statement, described the August 5 incident as “a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides,” warning that the actions taken by both K1 and the ValueJet crew could have resulted in a fatal disaster.
BlackBox Nigeria earlier reported K1’s statement refuting the claims of NCAA. However, the minister disagree, confirming that video evidence clearly showed the musician “constantly moved his position on the tarmac to actually block the aircraft from taxiing.”
He likened the act to a hostage situation, stating that “this is totally unacceptable behaviour.”
Keyamo also faulted the pilot of the aircraft for attempting to taxi while K1 was still visibly on the runway, saying, “No amount of provocation should make a pilot proceed without clearance from security.”
While the NCAA has already suspended the pilot and co-pilot, the minister directed that K1 must face equal accountability.
“What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander,” he said.
“All airlines, both domestic and international, should be informed immediately,” Keyamo warned, adding that failure to comply with the directive could lead to withdrawal of operating licenses.
The minister reiterated the government’s zero tolerance for breaches of international aviation safety standards, emphasizing that aviation safety must not be compromised under any circumstances.
