The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) has dropped the hammer on Fuji icon, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, over his dramatic confrontation on the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a strong-worded statement released on Thursday, Keyamo described the singer’s action where he was seen allegedly blocking a taxiing aircraft as not just reckless, but tantamount to a “hostage situation.”
He also shared a video as proof, which, according to him, captures the “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE” act in full display.
Keyamo disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that K1 was not simply near the aircraft but “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 not just an act of indiscipline—it is potentially catastrophic behaviour,” the minister stated. “It’s a clear case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides which could have led to fatalities.”
The Minister dismissed any focus on whether K1 was carrying water or alcohol, saying that such distractions pale in comparison to the more serious offence—the physical obstruction of a moving aircraft.
“That’s not just disobedience. That’s dangerous and irresponsible conduct,” Keyamo declared. “It is akin to hijacking—there is no other way to describe it.”
In the same breath, Keyamo did not spare the ValueJet crew as he faulted the pilot for attempting to taxi the aircraft while K1 still stood in front of it, insisting that “NO AMOUNT of provocation should justify compromising aviation safety.”
While the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had earlier blacklisted the pilot for six months, Keyamo questioned the lopsidedness of punishing only one party.
“Justice must be balanced. What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander,” he said.
As a result, the Minister has now directed the NCAA to immediately place KWAM 1 on a no-fly list—a move that applies to all airlines, domestic and international, pending the conclusion of a full investigation.
“Any airline that flouts this directive risks having their operating licence withdrawn,” Keyamo warned.
Leave a comment