Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate, at the center of a bizzare airport drama that led to the suspension of two pilotd and a six-month travel ban been slammed on him, is now sober. He has tendered an unreserved apology over the ugly incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
A statement he signed reads: “The incident that occurred at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 5, 2025, involving my humble self and ValueJet Airline, was to say the least, unfortunate.
“Unknown to many, I suffer from chronic dehydration, and my doctor strongly advised that I remain constantly hydrated. This is why I always carry a water flask with me. And contrary to the negative narrative being circulated in some quarters, the flask I carried on that particular day contained only water not alcohol, as wrongly alleged.
“For the record, I passed through two security screenings with the flask empty. The flask was only filled with water at the lounge area, just before heading to the tarmac. This fact can be verified by the CCTV footage at the airport lounge. More so, I hadn’t even boarded the plane, let alone being deboarded.
“However, I acknowledge and deeply regret the concerns that arose from the incident. It was never my intention to cause any disruption or violate aviation protocols in any way.
“My unwavering patriotism and unshaken loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria have never been in doubt.
“To the Presidency, Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, NCAA, ValueJet, fellow Nigerians, and my teeming fans across the world who have shown great concern since the incident happened, I tender my unreserved and heartfelt apology.”
The bizarre confrontation led to his temporary grounding for six months.
Luckily for Kwam-1, he escaped been beheaded by the wing of the accelerating aircraft as he attempted to stop it from taxiing for a take-off.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, ordered the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place the musician on a no-fly list following the widely circulated video showing him obstructing a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing. The minister described the incident as a “near-fatal breakdown in protocol.”
“This was a dangerous loss of control on both sides,” Keyamo said in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. “But Kwam-1’s actions—repeatedly standing on the tarmac to block an aircraft—crossed the line. That’s not just misconduct; it’s a security risk.”
While Kwam-1’s team claimed he was merely holding a flask of water, Keyamo dismissed the argument as irrelevant.
“This isn’t about whether it was water or alcohol. It’s about turning a secured runway into a stage for drama. That is unacceptable,” he stated.
Keyamo further ordered disciplinary action against the ValueJet crew, including suspension of the pilot and captain involved, citing a serious breach of international safety protocols.
“No pilot should proceed to taxi with an individual still in front of the aircraft. It’s a clear violation of ICAO regulations,” the minister added.
The NCAA, meanwhile, has escalated the matter, petitioning the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to initiate criminal prosecution against the Fuji star for what it termed “unruly and dangerous conduct.”
In a statement released Thursday, NCAA spokesman Michael Achimugu confirmed that Kwam-1 violated several sections of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023.
“The videos speak for themselves,” Achimugu said. “Mr. Ayinde’s decision to block a taxiing aircraft after being denied boarding constitutes a grave safety risk. It’s a clear breach of aviation law.”
The incident reportedly began when Ayinde was denied access to a Lagos-bound flight due to possession of a flask suspected to contain alcohol. According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the situation escalated when the musician allegedly spilled the liquid on a staff member during a heated exchange, before proceeding onto the tarmac.
FAAN confirmed that Ayinde’s actions triggered panic, prompting immediate intervention from airport security.
As investigations continue, the NCAA has imposed a six-month travel ban on the singer and warned all domestic and international carriers that operating a flight with him onboard would risk license revocation.
Minister Keyamo reiterated that the aviation sector will not tolerate such infractions, regardless of an individual’s status.
“This is not about celebrity. It’s about safety, order, and the rule of law. Anyone who flouts these rules will face the consequences,” he warned.
In her own defence, Captain Ranti, the pilot in command of Flight VK201 from Abuja to Lagos which K1 stood in front to prevent from flying. “During boarding which commenced as scheduled at 8:10 am, KWAM1 approached the aircraft at about 08:15–08:20 carrying a gold flask of unknown content.
“Ground staff requested, as per standard procedure, to verify the content of the flask but he vehemently refused.
“He was seen drinking from the flask and the ground staff suspected that it contains alcohol, a substance prohibited onboard aircraft in Nigeria.
“Instead, he responded with comments such as, “Do you know who I am? You have no right to tell me to open my flask.”
“As he reached the foot of the aircraft, security personnel reiterated that he could not board without complying with the inspection. He became confrontational, causing a disruption,” Captain Ranti continued.
“To manage the situation and prevent further delay, I exited the cockpit and approached Mr. Ayinde to engage him amicably. Without warning, he opened the flask and poured its contents on me, the security personnel, and some nearby passengers.
“Following this assault, airport security intervened, and other passengers were allowed to continue boarding. The Head of Security advised that Mr. Ayinde should not be permitted to travel on the flight due to his behaviour. I agreed, prioritising the safety of my passengers and crew.
“After shutting the aircraft doors, I observed that Mr Ayinde was still near the aircraft, obstructing movement. I made a Public Announcement to inform passengers of the delay while security personnel worked to remove him from the area. Once he was moved out of sight, I commenced taxiing and departed for Lagos at approximately 08:50.
“This incident caused significant delay, disruption, and posed safety risks to passengers, crew, and the operation of the flight.”.
Kwam-1, a cultural icon in southwestern Nigeria and known supporter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has frequently performed at government and political events, including President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 inauguration. However, authorities have made it clear that his prominence offers no shield from legal accountability.
“The law must apply equally to all Nigerians,” Keyamo emphasized.
Further legal action may follow as federal investigators assess potential criminal charges in line with aviation safety laws.
