The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1 On a No-Fly list.
Keyamo gave the directive on Thursday via a post on his X handle .
TheFact Daily notes that the directive came on the heels of the musician’s conduct on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja where he attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security personnel and the flight captain.
The flight attendant allegedly requested that he hand over the flask, but he declined, claiming it contained doctor-prescribed medication and when he persisted in keeping the flask, the airline crew reportedly asked him to leave the aircraft.
The 68 year old allegedly left the plane but stayed close to it, while attempting to stop the plane from departing.
However, the pilot decided to take off, seemingly endangering the lives of the musician and the airport officials.
Consequently, the NCAA has suspended the pilots involved.
Reacting to these developments, the minister said any airline who violates the directive, will risk withdrawal of their operating licence.
“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.
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”.
Keyamo said the issue now is beyond water or alcohol; rather, It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here which is akin to a hostage situation.
He added that both parties breached standard safety protocol as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“On the other hand, no amount of provocation should make the Captain and Pilot of an aircraft begin to taxi without ensuring that the security personnel have safely moved an unruly passenger away that is standing in front of an aircraft.
“I have noted that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has temporarily suspended the license of the Captain and the Pilot pending full investigation. I commend them for their proactive action. However, I have also questioned their sense of justice in only acting against one party and not the other party. 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.
“In this 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 risks withdrawal of their operating licence”, said.
