Mix-up over impunity, lawlessness of influential personality at Abuja airport

There is emerging mix-up over the impunity, overt lawlessness and seeming breach of airline safety protocol by an influential personality at the Abuja airport. Some stakeholders expressed concerns that such act of impunity, lawlessness vividly relayed on social media, is sufficient to raise alarm of security threat, or purported act of terrorism, at any airport of international standard.

The incident involving K1 De Ultimate, ValueJet Pilot at the Abuja Airport, which culminated into disruption of flight, has been generating diverse responses to all parties, including regulatory agencies.

Apparently, a routine Tuesday morning flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, turned into a scene of confusion when a Fuji music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (popularly known as K1 De Ultimate), had encounter officials of the airline over suspicion of carrying alcohol, a prohibited item by airlines all over the world except when weighed into the cargo cockpit, extending provocation to the pilot of the ValueJet flight to Lagos.

K1 was reportedly stopped on August 5, 2025, at a boarding point of the aircraft for attempting to carry an unidentified liquid in a container that exceeded aviation security limits. According to airport sources, he allegedly refused to surrender it and poured the contents on a security officer. The confrontation drew the attention of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) Crime Unit.

However, in a swift response, K1’s media aide, Kunle Rasheed, dismissed the allegations as “exaggerated and misleading.” He maintained that the bottle contained plain drinking water, not alcohol, and that K1 “did not act in a manner that endangered lives or breached safety regulations.”

Rasheed also claimed that ValueJet officials later apologized and even offered to arrange a private jet to Lagos—an offer K1 declined, preferring to continue with regular travel arrangements.

Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that K1 was warned multiple times about the liquid violation under Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Security Programme and ICAO Annex 17 rules.

FAAN maintained that the situation escalated when the substance—believed by officials to be alcohol—was poured on a security officer. The agency stressed it would “hold all parties found culpable accountable according to the law.”

At the point the liquid content was poured on a security officer, the pilot was compelled to taxi the jet for safety rules.

Coincidentally, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) indicated the crew for violation. NCAA in preliminary investigation held that the ValueJet pilot and co-pilot commenced pre-departure procedures without mandatory ground and air traffic clearance, saying it was a breach that could endanger both ground staff and passengers.

Both pilots have been suspended pending a full investigation, while ValueJet confirmed their removal from active duty and pledged full cooperation with regulators.

The ValueJet captain noted that the situation was “unfortunate”, emphasising that “safety is non-negotiable.” He expressed regret for the confusion and confirmed his willingness to cooperate fully with the NCAA’s ongoing inquiry.

ALSO READ: KWAM 1 airport fracas: ValueJet Captain breaks silence

Meanwhile, there are concerns how K1 passed through all security checks without detection of strange content in luggage, with all the screening machines at the airport. Di he ignore the security operatives, or was he given executive treatment and undermined security checks?

The Minster of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on Friday acknowledged receipt of report from all the relevant Aviation agencies regarding the incident that occurred between the staff and crew of ValueJet and Kwam 1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday; including video footages of the incident.

Keyamo maintained that from all the details so far received, his 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.

The Minister asserted that contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 has said, it was noticeable that K1 CONSTANTLY moved his position on the tarmac to ACTUALLY BLOCK the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off.

“This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour. The issue of whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not even in issue at this point.

“It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here which akin to a hostage situation. The actual video footage showing this recalcitrant behaviour is hereby attached,” the Minister declared.

Keyamo further stated that on the other hand, 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.

According to him, “both sides breached standard SAFETY PROTOCOL as required by the INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO).

“I have noted that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has temporarily suspended the license of the Captain and the Pilot pending full investigation. 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. What applies to the goose must also to the gander. That is one of the tenets of Justice I have preached all my life. I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass.

“IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE, I HAVE ALSO DIRECTED THE NCAA TO PLACE KWAM 1 on a NO-FLY list pending further and full investigation, just like the Captain and Pilot.

“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.”

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