The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to lift the suspension of a ValueJet captain and first officer over the August 5 incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, involving Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate).

NAAPE argued the sanctions were unfair, maintaining that responsibility for the disruption rested with the musician, who has been placed on a no-fly list and may face prosecution, according to the NAN.

NAAPE President Galadima Abednego said both pilots, with spotless professional records, were reacting to intense provocation after K1 allegedly breached security protocols and obstructed the aircraft on the tarmac.

He admitted the captain might have shown greater discretion but argued that penalising the crew while the passenger faced separate legal proceedings amounted to selective enforcement of aviation rules.

“The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to reconsider its sanction on a ValueJet pilot and her assistant.

“This is contained in a statement signed by NAAPE’s National President, Mr Galadima Abednego, on Saturday in Lagos,” the report read in part.

The association urged an open and transparent probe into the incident and appealed to ValueJet to maintain its support for the crew. Abednego reiterated that safety and security are aviation’s highest priorities and warned that unruly conduct at airports will not be tolerated.

Earlier, the NCAA petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute K1 over the Abuja airport disruption, calling it a serious violation of aviation safety standards under the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

The August 5, 2025, incident occurred during boarding for ValueJet Flight VK201 to Lagos. According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, K1 attempted to board with a flask containing more than the permitted 100ml of liquid, later confirmed to be alcohol.

Despite warnings from Aviation Security officers and the flight captain, he allegedly refused to comply and poured the contents on a security officer. After boarding was completed and the aircraft doors closed, K1 reportedly blocked the aircraft from taxiing. He was later removed by AVSEC’s crime unit and released after an initial investigation.

The NCAA suspended the ValueJet captain and first officer for attempting to taxi while the tarmac was not fully clear.

However, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo condemned the selective punishment, noting that both the crew and the passenger had breached safety protocols.

He also ordered K1 placed on a no-fly list pending the outcome of the investigation, with the NCAA instructing the Airline Operators of Nigeria to comply.

K1 has since issued a public apology after being barred from both domestic and international flights in Nigeria.