By Ghazali Ibrahim
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to reverse its sanction on a ValueJet pilot and co-pilot suspended over a security breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The suspension followed an August 5 incident involving Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, which disrupted a Lagos-bound ValueJet flight, BlackBox Nigeria reported.
In a statement issued Saturday, NAAPE’s National President, Galadima Abednego, urged the NCAA to conduct a transparent and unbiased investigation, stressing that the blame should rest squarely on the artiste.
“NAAPE calls on the authorities to lay the blame on KWAM 1 and make him face the full wrath of the law to prevent future incidents,” Abednego said.
The group described the suspended pilots as seasoned professionals with unblemished records and appealed for their immediate reinstatement.
NAAPE also encouraged ValueJet to continue supporting the affected staff.
The association commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, along with the NCAA Director-General, for their swift intervention, while advising air travellers to exercise restraint in the interest of safety.
Meanwhile, the NCAA has blacklisted KWAM 1 from domestic and international flights through Nigerian airports.
The artiste issued a public apology on Friday, expressing regret over the controversy and clarifying that a flask he carried during the incident contained only water, not alcohol as alleged.
“Unknown to many, I suffer from chronic dehydration, and my doctor strongly advised that I remain constantly hydrated. This is why I always carry a water flask with me,” KWAM 1 explained.
