The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the immediate placement of Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, on a no-fly list following a disruptive altercation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 7, 2025.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, Keyamo confirmed he had received reports and video evidence from relevant aviation agencies regarding the incident, which involved K1 De Ultimate and staff of ValueJet airline. The minister described the confrontation as a “temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides,” warning that the altercation could have resulted in serious fatalities.
According to Keyamo, contrary to claims by the musician’s representatives, K1 physically obstructed a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing to the runway by repeatedly moving into its path. “This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour,” he said, likening the act to a “hostage situation.” He noted that whether the musician was holding water or alcohol during the fracas was immaterial, stressing that it was the obstruction of the aircraft that posed a serious breach of aviation safety.
On the part of ValueJet, Keyamo faulted the pilot and crew for attempting to taxi the aircraft despite the obvious safety risks posed by an individual on the tarmac. “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,” he said.
The minister confirmed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had already suspended the licenses of the pilot and captain involved in the incident, but he expressed dissatisfaction with what he termed the regulatory body’s “one-sided” action.
“I commend [NCAA] for their proactive action. However, I have also questioned their sense of justice in only acting against one party and not the other. What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander,” Keyamo said.
To that end, he directed the NCAA to immediately place K1 De Ultimate on a no-fly list pending the outcome of a full investigation. He also ordered that all domestic and international airlines be informed of the directive, warning that any airline that flouts the instruction risks withdrawal of its operating licence.
