WATCH: Keyamo releases new video, likens KWAM 1’s behaviour to hostage situation

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has released a video showing Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, allegedly blocking a taxiing aircraft at the Abuja airport, an act he described as akin to a hostage situation.

Keyamo, in a statement on Thursday while reacting to the incident involving the singer and the crew of ValueJet on Tuesday, August 5, said the footage confirms “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE” behaviour, for which he has directed that Kwam 1 be placed on a no-fly list pending further investigation.

“From all the details so far received, my preliminary impression is that it was obviously a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides which could have led to serious fatalities,” the minister stated.

He said contrary to claims by representatives of the singer, “he CONSTANTLY moved his position on the tarmac to ACTUALLY BLOCK the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off. This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour.”

“The issue of whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not even in issue at this point. It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here which is akin to a hostage situation. The actual video footage showing this recalcitrant behaviour is hereby attached,” he added.

While also faulting the conduct of the pilot, Keyamo maintained that “NO AMOUNT of provocation should make the Captain and Pilot of an aircraft begin to taxi without ensuring that the security personnel have safely moved an unruly passenger away that is standing in front of an aircraft.”

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He said both parties were guilty of breaching standard safety protocol as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Keyamo commended the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for suspending the pilot’s licence pending a full investigation, but questioned the fairness of not extending similar action to the other party involved.

“What applies to the goose must also to the gander. That is one of the tenets of Justice I have preached all my life. I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass,” he said.

”IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE, I HAVE ALSO DIRECTED THE NCAA TO PLACE KWAM 1 on a NO-FLY list pending further and full investigation, just like the Captain and Pilot. ALL AIRLINES, both domestic and International should IMMEDIATELY be informed of this directive and anyone who flouts this directive risk withdrawal of their operating licence, he warned.”

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