Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the recent altercation involving Fuji music icon KWAM 1 and ValueJet crew at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, describing the incident as a breach of international aviation safety protocols.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, August 7, 2025, Festus Keyamo revealed that he had received comprehensive reports and video footage from relevant aviation agencies concerning the confrontation between KWAM 1 and ValueJet staff.

Keyamo stated that the preliminary findings pointed to “a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides,” warning that the situation could have escalated into a fatal event.

He criticised KWAM 1’s actions on the tarmac, saying the artist “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,” Keyamo wrote.

“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 is akin to a hostage situation.”

Safety protocols breached by both KWAM 1 and ValueJet crew Keyamo also expressed concern over the pilot’s decision to begin taxiing while KWAM 1 was still positioned in front of the aircraft. He noted that “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.”

According to Keyamo, both parties violated standard safety procedures as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). He acknowledged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) decision to temporarily suspend the pilot’s licence, but questioned the fairness of targeting only one side.

“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,” he stated.

See the X post below:

THE INCIDENT INVOLVING VALUEJET AND KWAM 1:

I have received reports from all the relevant Aviation agencies regarding the altercation between the staff and crew of ValueJet and Kwam 1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. I have also… pic.twitter.com/STma3UfKo8

— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) August 7, 2025

KWAM 1 placed on no-fly list pending investigation

In a decisive move, Keyamo announced that KWAM 1 would be placed on a no-fly list pending a full investigation into the incident. He directed the NCAA to inform all domestic and international airlines of the directive, warning that any airline that fails to comply risks having its operating licence withdrawn.

“I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass,” Keyamo declared.