The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to urgently review and reverse its suspension of a ValueJet captain and first officer, following the controversial August 5 tarmac disruption at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, involving Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1.
In a statement issued on Saturday by NAAPE’s National President, Galadima Abednego, the association demanded that the NCAA conduct a comprehensive, transparent, and unbiased inquiry into the incident, which disrupted a Lagos-bound flight and resulted in significant inconvenience to passengers and crew.
Incident and Initial Sanctions
The disturbance occurred when KWAM 1 allegedly delayed the ValueJet aircraft scheduled to depart Abuja for Lagos. Reports indicate that the musician’s actions caused a standoff on the tarmac, ultimately leading to operational delays. In the aftermath, the NCAA suspended the flight crew, citing the need to investigate the handling of the situation by the pilots.
NAAPE’s Position on the Matter
While acknowledging that the captain’s response during the confrontation “may not have reflected the highest level of discretion expected in such circumstances,” Abednego sharply criticised KWAM 1’s behaviour, describing it as “crude, unruly, and an arrogant display” that had no place in a regulated aviation environment.
“Aviation is built upon two unshakable pillars—safety and security,” he stressed. “As a professional body at the frontline of flight operations, NAAPE holds these principles in the highest regard. The disruption caused by KWAM 1 was a serious provocation that tested the patience of seasoned pilots with otherwise unblemished records. The blame for this unacceptable episode should rest squarely on him, and the authorities must ensure he faces the full consequences of his actions to prevent a recurrence.”
NAAPE urged the NCAA to reinstate the pilots’ licences immediately, arguing that penalising them for an incident triggered by a passenger undermines the morale and authority of flight crews across the industry. The association also encouraged ValueJet to continue supporting its employees, whom they described as professionals caught in an avoidable confrontation.
Appeal to the Travelling Public
In its wider message, NAAPE appealed to all air travellers to respect established airport protocols and the authority of aviation workers. “Passengers must understand that safety is the top priority in aviation,” Abednego said. “Cooperation with airline and airport personnel is essential for smooth operations and the safety of all on board.”
Initially, KWAM 1 denied any wrongdoing. However, on Friday, he issued a public statement expressing regret for his actions, following intervention by the Ministry of Aviation. The ministry subsequently placed him on a six-month no-fly list, citing his role in “holding passengers and crew hostage” and causing avoidable operational disruption.
The incident has sparked wider debate within the aviation sector about how disciplinary actions are assigned in cases involving passenger-provoked disruptions, with NAAPE insisting that the focus should remain on protecting flight safety and the professional integrity of pilots and crew.