Kwam 1 Facing Six-Month Flying Ban After Abuja Airport Altercation
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced a six-month flight ban on popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as Kwam 1, over an altercation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, that allegedly breached safety protocols.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, disclosed the decision during a press briefing on Thursday, citing the veteran artiste’s conduct as a violation of aviation safety and operational regulations.
The incident, which occurred on August 5, involved a confrontation between Kwam 1 and personnel of ValueJet after the musician reportedly refused to surrender a flask he was seen sipping from onboard the aircraft. A flight attendant had approached him on suspicion that the container held alcohol — a prohibited substance on Nigerian flights.
According to sources, Kwam 1 claimed the flask contained medication prescribed by his doctor and declined to hand it over. The situation escalated, with the singer allegedly spilling the contents of the flask on a ValueJet staff member.
In a statement issued by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on August 6, the agency said, “Kwam 1 spilt alcohol on aviation personnel when they attempted to verify the content of the flask.”
A fresh video clip that surfaced later further intensified the controversy. In the footage, Kwam 1 was seen standing in front of the aircraft after being deboarded, attempting to obstruct its movement. The video captured officials pleading with him to step away from the aircraft’s path as the pilot prepared for taxiing. The Fuji musician could be seen holding the contentious flask and talking on his mobile phone while ignoring instructions from the crew.
Despite the singer’s actions, the NCAA also took disciplinary action against ValueJet, suspending two of its pilots over what it termed a breach of safety protocol.
In response to the public backlash, Kwam 1 denied the allegations through a statement released by his media aide, Kunle Rasheed. He described the situation as exaggerated and misleading.
“The substance in his flask was ‘plain drinking water’ given to him at the airport lounge as he awaited boarding, and ‘not alcohol’,” the statement said.
The singer also claimed that he did not flout any rules, adding that he tried to resolve the matter amicably: “I adhered to protocols and sought to clarify the misunderstanding peacefully, but the entire incident was unnecessarily escalated.”
The incident has sparked wide debate on social media about celebrity conduct and aviation security, with some calling for stricter enforcement of rules for all passengers regardless of status.
The NCAA says the six-month blacklist will serve as a deterrent to other passengers who may attempt to disrupt flight operations or endanger airport safety.
