NCAA to Ban Kwam 1 from Flying in Nigeria for Six Months

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, will be barred from flying in Nigeria for six months due to his conduct at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday.

“What I must assure the general public is that everybody involved in this will be brought to book,” Achimugu stated.

“As we speak, the passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months flying in Nigeria.

“Aviation rules are made for everybody, for the protection of everybody. These rules are global. There is nothing about the rules that is to antagonise any passenger.

“So, we will do everything we can to get to the root of it. Everybody who needs to be punished or sanctioned will receive justice.”

Achimugu also revealed that the NCAA is in the process of reaching out to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police to commence legal action against Ayinde.

When questioned about the likelihood of prosecution given Kwam 1’s relationship with President Bola Tinubu, Achimugu emphasized that both the President and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, are firmly committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring no individual is above it.

On August 5, the NCAA suspended two ValueJet pilots over a safety violation at the airport’s domestic terminal. Preliminary investigations indicated that the pilots initiated departure procedures from a designated bay without securing the mandatory pre-departure clearance, endangering airport staff and breaching both national and international aviation safety protocols.

According to TheCable, the suspension was connected to Kwam 1’s alleged disruptive behavior on board the flight. The report stated that the singer was seen drinking from a flask, leading to concerns from a flight attendant who suspected it contained alcohol—strictly prohibited on Nigerian flights.

Further, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the musician attempted to board the aircraft with an unidentified liquid despite multiple warnings from aviation security (AVSEC) officials and the flight captain. The contents, later confirmed to be alcohol, spilled on a security officer during an attempt to inspect the flask.

Responding to the incident in a statement on Thursday, Kwam 1 denied any wrongdoing, describing the reports as “exaggerated” and “misleading.” He maintained that the flask contained “plain drinking water” provided to him at the airport lounge, not alcohol.