Kwam 1 Blacklisted for 6 Months Over Unruly Behavior

BY ANTHONY OMOH

Unruly behavior at Abuja Airport by Nigerian Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1) has triggered disciplinary action from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Kwam 1 has been blacklisted for six-months with a formal request for criminal prosecution.

According to the NCAA, the veteran musician’s actions on board ValueJet Flight VK 201 to Lagos violated global aviation safety regulations and created significant disruption at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The incident led to the immediate suspension of the flight’s pilot and first officer.

“As we speak, the passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months by NCAA,” said Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, speaking at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents Conference.

“Aviation rules are made for everybody, for the protection of everybody. These rules are global.”

Kwam1 Blacklisted over Unruly Behavior at Abuja Airport

During the boarding process, Kwam 1 was informed that carrying liquids over 100ml without proper declaration contravened both Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17 regulations.

After being denied access, he allegedly blocked the aircraft from departing, prompting security concerns and a full-scale regulatory response.

“If the engine of that plane was not positioned where it was, what would have happened to the passenger?”Achimugu asked, referring to videos reviewed by the NCAA.

The agency, under the directive of Director General Captain Chris Najomo and with approval from Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, suspended the licenses of both cockpit crew members pending investigation.

NCAA equally announced a six-month flying ban on the passenger. “What I must assure the general public is that everybody involved in this will be brought to book,” Achimugu said.

Legal Action Underway

Apart from Kwam 1 being blacklisted, NCAA also confirmed it is writing to both the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to initiate legal proceedings against the Fuji star.

“Everybody who needs to be punished or sanctioned will receive the punishment,” Achimugu asserted.

He noted that managing unruly passenger behavior remains difficult, even as the Authority regulates airline operations stringently. “People will break rules. That’s why law enforcement exists,” Achimugu said.

“We’ve been carrying out massive awareness campaigns, but that’s why FAAN AFSEC is in place—to deal with such scenarios.”

No One Is Above the Law

Amid concerns that the passenger’s proximity to political power might shield him, NCAA reaffirmed that the law applies equally to all. Even the blacklist will play a role in providing a detente to others

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a respecter of the law. So is Minister Keyamo. Both subject themselves to full airport security checks. No Nigerian is above the law.”

The agency emphasized that aviation safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances—no matter the profile of the passenger involved.

“There’s nothing about the rules that antagonizes any passenger,” Achimugu added.

“Even for the passenger’s own sake, watch those videos, does it speak well of the passenger or the pilot?”

In aviation, being blacklisted means that an individual, airline, or organization has been officially banned, restricted, or denied access to specific aviation services, facilities, or privileges due to non-compliance, misconduct, or safety/security violations.

Industry Concern Over Growing Passenger Misconduct

The Kwam 1 case has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement and public awareness campaigns. Industry observers warn that unruly behavior at Airport terminals and other aviation facilities is round to be blacklisted.

The NCAA insists this trend must be tackled decisively to maintain order, ensure the safety of airline operations, and protect both passengers and crew.

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