From Noah Ebije, Kaduna; Tony John, Port Harcourt; Femi Folaranmi, Bayelsa; Scholastic Hir, Makurdi and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Prominent Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, otherwise known as KWAM 1 and K1 De Ultimate, on August 5, 2025, obstructed a commercial flight operated by ValueJet from taxing to the runway, when he was not allowed to carry a flask with suspicious contents into the aircraft.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) thereafter, slammed a six-month flight ban on him after he tendered an apology.
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However, the Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, last Wednesday, reduced the flight ban to a one-month period, and also directed the NCAA to withdraw its criminal complaints earlier lodged with the police against him. He was also named an aviation se tor ambassador.
In this report, some Nigerians condemned his act of lawlessness, and disagreed with the federal government’s decision on the musician.
Govt should prosecute him – Aniefon Dick, journalist; Port Harcourt
This incident requires a firm response to demonstrate that celebrity status provides no immunity from aviation security laws.
The government should prosecute KWAM 1 under the country’s aviation security laws for obstructing aircraft operations, which is a serious federal offence that endangers passengers’ safety, and disrupted airport operations. He should face charges, substantial fines and potentially a temporary ban from flying on Nigerian carriers. The authorities must also investigate the nature of the unidentified liquid substance to determine if additional charges related to attempting to breach security protocols are warranted.
The government should ensure equal application of justice while using this case to reinforce public awareness about the critical importance of airport security compliance. A measured but decisive legal response will send a clear message that disrupting aviation operations attracts serious consequences regardless of one’s public profile or social standing.
There shouldn’t be selective justice – Anita Ogona, activist; Port Harcourt
I sincerely condemn the federal government’s attitude of using different laws for different people, or applying different laws for categories of persons. Those who are rich get different punishment, but those who are poor are punished beyond human comprehension. When it involves the poor, the government treats them as if being poor is a crime.
Recall that former Edo State governor, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole disrupted the operation of Air Peace for more than an hour, and nothing was done to him; people were even begging him. He wasn’t sanctioned. KWAM 1 did his own by stopping an aircraft from taking off, which by law amounts to hijacking. NCAA is banning him for just one month while making him an ambassador. Nigerian laws are not applied fairly.
Police should charge him to court – Tife Owolabi, journalist; Yenagoa
In order not to erode public trust, I think the government needs to revisit KWAM1 misdemeanor because of the Comfort Emmanson incident. I understand the circumstances are different, but I don’t think the authorities used maximum energy on the former as to the latter. Justice must be equal for all. Already, Nigerians are divided over the matter along ethnic lines, and it is the more reason the police should charge him to court to show impartiality.
This will cancel any misgivings anyone has against the government. The one-month no-fly ban meted out to him seems like a slap on the wrist as against the imprisonment of Ms. Emmanson, which, in my opinion, is hasty, harsh, and horrendous. The agencies are not the law court to give final judgment on an issue, particularly a sensational one like this.
Govt should treat his action like any security breach – Brata Igiran, banker; Yenagoa
He should be prosecuted and charged under aviation laws for obstructing an aircraft and endangering passengers’ lives. They should ban him from flying for at least two years. There should be no exceptions, even for celebrities.
He should also be fined heavily, at least N5 million. This will set a clear example that no one is above safety rules.
Yes, he should be punished, but the system needs fixing, too. They should also suspend any airport staff who yielded to him. Why was he allowed near the aircraft?
His action is embarrassing – Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, ex LP presidential aspirant; Kaduna
What he did was not only condemnable, but also embarrassing. However, it’s not shocking as many Nigerians have this: ‘You don’t know me’ mentality; or ‘Do you know who I am?’ syndrome. This has destroyed our country. What we have today is shameful and highly condemnable.
Since he has come back to his senses, realised his mistakes and apologised, it is the best thing to do to deter anyone else from committing such havoc and blunder.
Govt should apply the law – Darius Kurah, pub sec, SDP; Kaduna
The government should investigate the incident thoroughly, and if found guilty, apply the law equally. There shouldn’t be any special treatment. Obstructing a flight is a serious security breach and must be handled firmly to deter future misconduct, regardless of the individual’s status. It is globally embarrassing to Nigeria for a popular musician or whoever to obstruct an aircraft from taxiing to the runway.
The display of such an attitude is uncalled for, especially for his status as a respected person in the society.
He should be prosecuted – Ata Ede, journalist; Makurdi
What Wasiu Ayinde Marshall did was an assault on the entire nation. His action was uncalled for and so, should be prosecuted.
It is high time Nigerian government stopped this issue of selective justice. His apology to the authorities is not enough. If they can remand Ms. Comfort Emmanson for a similar offence, then KWAM1 should face the same treatment.
No sacred cow, let KWAM 1 face the music – Janet Aondohemba, teacher; Makurdi
What the musician did was tantamount to putting the lives of some Nigerians at risk. Anything could have happened.
Nigeria belongs to all of us and some people should not be treated like sacred cows. The government should prosecute him, else we may have encouraged other youths to start hostage taking. Such lawlessness at Abuja airport or anywhere else should not be tolerated or condoned. If Emmason could be prosecuted and imprisoned in such a hurry, what KWAM 1 did was worse. He should be punished too to deter others. Apology is not enough.
He should be forgiven Dr. Festus Alenkhe, journalist, Benin
We’ve been having airlines in Nigeria for so many years, but this is the first time we’re having this kind of situation almost on a weekly basis because of the current economic situation.
In the past, people used to travel by roads with fun and merriment but today, bad roads and insecurity are making them not to do so anymore. Majority of Nigerians today are now travelling by plane, leading to congestion at the airports. The rowdiness that used to happen in the motor parks has now been extended to the airports. Many people who were usually travelling by roads have extended the motor parks mentality to the airports. The government should strengthen the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) laws. We also have Airport Police Command, they should ensure that anybody that engages in this kind of unruly behaviour should be arrested and prosecuted. However, the government should forgive KWAM 1.
He should have been in prison – Edosa Okunbor, journalist; Benin
In a sane society, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall ought to have been in prison because that action can be termed as a terrorist intention to hijack the aircraft because he held the passengers hostage by not allowing the plane to fly. However, I understood he has tendered an apology to the federal government, to the ValueJet owner, to the pilot and to airport authorities in general. So, let the matter be allowed to lie low.
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