The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has strongly criticised Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, over his recent conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, saying the act could be classified as terrorism in many countries.
Mike Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Sunday.
Achimugu accused the musician of disrupting the take-off of a ValueJet flight and failing to comply with airport officials’ instructions. He stressed that all passengers are required to show respect and obey directives from aviation authorities at all times.
“Your first responsibility at the airport is to respect and obey instructions from the officials on the ground. The passenger, KWAM 1, did not do that,” Achimugu said. “What he did in most climes is considered terrorism. You cannot stop an aircraft from taking off. There is nothing that excuses it.”
The NCAA spokesperson said investigations are underway to determine how the singer gained access to the restricted area where the incident occurred. He added that everyone found culpable would face appropriate sanctions.
According to him, the investigation will involve collaboration among multiple aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Aviation Security Service (AVSEC) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
“Did the air traffic control clear the pilot to fly, seeing that it was not safe for her to proceed? All of these questions will be answered during the course of the investigation,” Achimugu noted.
The incident occurred on August 5 when KWAM 1 reportedly got into a dispute on a ValueJet flight after a flight attendant suspected that the flask in his possession contained alcohol, which is prohibited on Nigerian flights. The musician insisted it contained doctor-prescribed medication, but the confrontation escalated, leading him to spill the contents on airline staff.
A day later, a video emerged showing him attempting to stop the aircraft from taking off. FAAN claimed the flask contained alcohol, prompting the NCAA to suspend two pilots over the matter.
KWAM 1 later denied wrongdoing, stating that the flask only contained water from the airport lounge and that he had followed all relevant rules. The NCAA eventually blacklisted him from flying. The singer has since apologised for the incident, pledging to remain a good ambassador for Nigeria.
