NCAA Extends KWAM 1 Travel Ban Indefinitely Pending Full Investigation

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has declared that the travel ban imposed on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, will remain in place indefinitely until the investigation into his recent airport incident is fully concluded.

Originally, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, directed the NCAA on August 7 to place KWAM 1 on a six-month no-fly list following an altercation at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The directive came after KWAM 1 was alleged to have obstructed the taxiing of a ValueJet domestic flight, VK 201, to Lagos on August 5, 2025, leading to a confrontation that also involved the aircraft’s captain and first officer.

In a recent statement on TVC, Mike Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, clarified that the ban is no longer limited to six months but will continue indefinitely until all investigations are complete. He explained that the singer passed initial airport security screenings and accessed the VIP lounge, where he reportedly purchased a bottle of liquid. However, the liquid violated aviation security regulations and was discovered at a subsequent security check prior to boarding.

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KWAM 1 was instructed not to board the flight with the liquid and asked to stand aside. Instead, he allegedly refused to comply and proceeded toward the aircraft, leading security personnel to escort him to the plane. During this process, KWAM 1 splashed some of the liquid on the pilot, which provoked an angry reaction from the crew, who then shut the aircraft door, causing further disruption.

Minister Keyamo condemned the actions of both the musician and the flight crew, describing the entire episode as a “temporary loss of sanity and control” that posed serious safety risks. He emphasized that obstructing the taxiing of an aircraft is tantamount to a hostage situation. Both the musician and the involved pilots have been suspended pending deeper investigation.

The NCAA has escalated the matter by petitioning the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police for a thorough criminal investigation and prosecution under Nigeria’s Civil Aviation regulations. The aviation authority also issued a stern warning to all domestic and international airlines to comply with the no-fly directive; failure to do so will result in the withdrawal of their operating licenses.

KWAM 1 has since issued a public apology, accepting full responsibility for his conduct and appealing for leniency from the government, his fans, and the country at large.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing with no specific completion date, highlighting the NCAA’s commitment to uphold aviation safety and accountability without prejudice regardless of an individual’s stature or public image. Further updates will be provided once the probe is concluded.