The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has described the recent actions of Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, at an airport as conduct that could be deemed terrorism in other countries.
Speaking on Arise TV on Sunday, Mike Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said halting an aircraft from taking off is a serious offence in global aviation standards.
“Your first responsibility at the airport is to respect and obey instructions from officials on the ground. The passenger (KWAM 1) has not done that,” Achimugu stated. “What he did in most climes is considered terrorism. You cannot stop an aircraft from taking off. There is nothing that excuses it.”
He said an investigation is underway to determine how the musician gained access to the restricted point where the incident occurred, adding that all culpable parties would face sanctions. The probe, according to Achimugu, will involve multiple aviation bodies including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Aviation Security Service (AVSEC), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
“Did the air traffic control clear the pilot to fly, knowing it was unsafe for her to proceed? All of these questions will be answered during the course of the investigation,” he said.
On August 7, the NCAA petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate the incident involving ValueJet airline and KWAM 1. The authority alleged that during a scheduled ValueJet flight VK201, the Fuji star’s actions breached Nigerian civil aviation regulations.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, KWAM 1 has been placed on the NCAA’s no-fly list.
