Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed that popular Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as Kwam 1, be placed on a no-fly list following an altercation at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Tuesday.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Keyamo described the incident between Kwam 1 and ValueJet staff as a “temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides,” warning that the situation could have escalated dangerously.

“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,” Keyamo stated.

The incident, which has since gone viral, allegedly saw the musician physically obstruct an aircraft from taxiing on the runway.

Keyamo confirmed that he received reports from relevant aviation agencies, along with video evidence of the confrontation.

“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,” the minister revealed. “This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour… akin to a hostage situation.”

Although he condemned the musician’s disruptive behaviour, the minister also faulted the pilot for beginning taxi operations without verifying that the runway was free of obstruction.

“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,” he said.

According to Keyamo, both parties breached safety regulations set by the ICAO.

He noted that while the NCAA had suspended the pilot’s licence pending further investigation, the response appeared one-sided and lacked balance.

“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,” he said. “What applies to the goose must also to the gander.”

Consequently, Keyamo ordered that Kwam 1 be placed on a no-fly list pending the outcome of a full investigation, directing all domestic and international airlines to enforce the restriction.

“ALL AIRLINES, both domestic and International should IMMEDIATELY be informed of this directive and anyone who flouts this directive risk withdrawal of their operating licence,” Keyamo warned.