By Deborah Nnamdi
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to reverse the suspension of a ValueJet captain and first officer involved in the August 5 incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, which featured renowned Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate).
NAAPE argued that the disciplinary action taken against the pilots was unjust, asserting that the primary fault lay with the passenger, who has since been placed on a no-fly list and faces potential prosecution, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
NAAPE President, Galadima Abednego, stated that both pilots have clean professional records and were acting under extreme provocation. He alleged that K1 violated security protocols by blocking the aircraft on the tarmac and defying repeated instructions.
While Abednego acknowledged that the captain could have shown better judgment, he criticized what he described as selective enforcement of aviation rules, noting that punishing the crew while legal action is separately pursued against the passenger creates a double standard.
“This is contained in a statement signed by NAAPE’s National President, Mr. Galadima Abednego, on Saturday in Lagos,” NAN reported.
NAAPE has called for a transparent investigation into the incident and urged ValueJet to continue supporting its flight crew. Abednego also emphasized that passenger misconduct at airports would not be tolerated, and reiterated that safety and security remain top priorities in aviation.
The NCAA had earlier referred the matter to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police, citing a serious breach of aviation safety regulations under the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.
The incident occurred during boarding for ValueJet Flight VK201 to Lagos. According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), K1 attempted to board with a flask containing more than the allowed 100ml of liquid, later identified as alcohol. Despite warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) officers and the flight captain, K1 allegedly refused to comply and poured the contents on a security official.
After boarding was complete and the aircraft doors had closed, K1 reportedly blocked the aircraft from taxiing. He was later removed by AVSEC’s crime unit and released following an initial investigation.
In response, the NCAA suspended the licences of the flight’s captain and first officer for attempting to initiate taxiing while the tarmac was still obstructed. However, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, criticized the selective sanctions, asserting that both crew and passengers had breached safety procedures. He ordered K1 placed on a no-fly list pending investigation, with the NCAA advising airlines to comply.
Following the backlash, K1 issued a public apology after being banned from both domestic and international flights within Nigeria.
