Abuja Airport Incident: Both Parties Breached Safety Protocols — Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo

On Tuesday, August 7, 2025, an altercation occurred between the staff and crew of ValueJet and the entertainer Kwam 1 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has released a preliminary statement following a review of reports from all relevant aviation agencies and video evidence of the incident.

The Minister described the situation as a temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides, with the potential to have caused serious fatalities. Contrary to claims by Kwam 1’s representatives, the entertainer repeatedly moved around the tarmac, blocking the aircraft from taxiing to the runway for takeoff. This behavior, likened to a hostage situation, is deemed totally unacceptable and a severe breach of aviation safety.

Minister Keyamo emphasized that whether Kwam 1 was carrying water or alcohol is irrelevant to the core issue—the obstruction of the aircraft’s movement on the tarmac. Equally, he said that no provocation justifies a pilot attempting to taxi the aircraft while an unruly passenger remains directly in front of it, without ensuring that security personnel have safely removed the individual.

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Both parties violated standard safety protocols as mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). While the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has acted promptly by suspending the licenses of the captain and pilot involved, the Minister has called out the disparity in enforcement, urging that justice must be served equally. “What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander,” he stated.

In a directive underscoring zero tolerance for such conduct, Minister Keyamo has ordered the NCAA to place Kwam 1 on a no-fly list pending a full investigation. This measure is to apply uniformly to all involved parties, and airlines, both domestic and international, are instructed to comply immediately. Any failure to respect this directive risks the withdrawal of operating licenses.

This firm stance by the Ministry of Aviation aims to uphold the highest standards of safety and justice within Nigeria’s air travel sector. The full investigation into the incident continues.