The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to reconsider its sanction on a ValueJet pilot and her assistant, following the August 5 security breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, involving Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1.
In a statement signed by NAAPE’s national president, Galadima Abednego, on Saturday, the association appealed for a transparent, unbiased, and open investigation into the ValueJet tarmac incident, which disrupted a Lagos-bound flight.
“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 stated.
The association urged the NCAA to review its decision against the crew and reinstate their licences, describing them as seasoned pilots with unblemished records. NAAPE also appealed to ValueJet to continue supporting the affected staff.
NAAPE further commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, as well as the NCAA Director-General, for their swift intervention in the matter. It also called on passengers to exercise restraint in the interest of safety.
Background to the Controversy
The NCAA has blacklisted KWAM 1 from domestic and international travel through Nigerian airports. The sanctions followed allegations that the singer breached security protocols and disrupted a ValueJet flight’s departure.
On Friday, KWAM 1 issued a public apology, expressing regret over the controversy but denying some of the allegations.
“The incident that occurred at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was, to say the least, unfortunate.
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.
Contrary to the negative narrative being circulated in some quarters, the flask contained only water — not alcohol,” the singer said.
The Fuji artiste stressed that his actions were not intended to cause disruption and maintained that the situation was a misunderstanding.
