Aviation Minister Orders No-Fly Ban on K1 De Ultimate Over Tarmac Incident

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to immediately place renowned Fuji artist, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (popularly known as K1 De Ultimate), on a no-fly list. The directive follows a reported altercation involving K1 and ValueJet staff at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 5.

According to Keyamo, the incident involved a “temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides” and could have escalated dangerously. He stated, via a post on his official X handle, that video evidence and reports from aviation agencies showed that K1 repeatedly walked on the tarmac and deliberately obstructed the aircraft from taxiing — behavior the minister described as tantamount to a “hostage situation.”

Keyamo further criticized the conduct of the pilot and captain for initiating taxi procedures before the obstructing passenger was cleared from the aircraft’s path, labeling their actions a breach of international aviation safety standards. Consequently, the NCAA has temporarily suspended the licenses of both the pilot and captain pending a full investigation.

The Minister ordered K1 to be blacklisted from flying until the conclusion of the probe and warned all domestic and international airlines against flouting the directive, threatening license withdrawal for non-compliance. The NCAA also disclosed it is pursuing legal action against K1, with communications already sent to the Attorney-General and the Inspector-General of Police.

Responding to the allegations, K1 denied any wrongdoing through a statement from his media aide, Kunle Rasheed. The statement refuted claims that the musician blocked the aircraft or caused any operational disruption. Rasheed also clarified that the liquid K1 was seen holding was plain drinking water, not alcohol, and accused critics of exaggerating the incident.