The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has condemned the alleged disruption of a ValueJet aircraft’s take-off by Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, describing the act as “terrorism” under global aviation standards.
Speaking on Arise TV on Sunday, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mike Achimugu, said the musician’s actions violated aviation safety protocols and could attract severe penalties.
“Your first responsibility at the airport is to respect and obey instructions from officials. The passenger (KWAM 1) has not done that. What he did in most climes is considered terrorism. You cannot stop an aircraft from taking off. There is nothing that excuses it,” Achimugu stated.
He confirmed that a probe had been launched to determine how Ayinde accessed the restricted area where the incident occurred. The investigation will involve the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Aviation Security (AVSEC), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and will also review whether air traffic control had cleared the pilot to depart at the time.
On August 7, the NCAA petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police over the incident involving Flight VK201, citing breaches of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, Ayinde has been placed on a no-fly list, barring him from boarding any flight within Nigeria.