The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, also known as K1 de Ultimate, will be blacklisted from flying within Nigeria for six months over alleged misconduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, revealed the sanction during a Thursday press briefing, stressing that aviation rules are global and apply to everyone, regardless of status. He added that the agency would also write to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to initiate legal proceedings against the singer.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has also directed that K1 be placed on a no-fly list pending a full investigation. In a statement on his official X account, Keyamo said reports and video footage showed that both the musician and the aircraft crew acted in ways that breached safety protocols, describing the incident as “akin to a hostage situation.” He accused K1 of repeatedly moving to physically block the aircraft from taxiing, calling the conduct “totally unacceptable.”
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had earlier confirmed it was investigating K1 for allegedly attempting to carry an unidentified liquid substance onboard a ValueJet flight to Lagos on August 5. According to FAAN, the flask he was carrying contained more than the 100ml limit allowed under international aviation regulations. The situation reportedly escalated when K1 refused further screening and spilled the flask’s contents, later confirmed to be alcohol on a security officer.
K1, however, denied any wrongdoing through a statement issued by his media aide, Kunle Rasheed. He claimed the flask contained drinking water provided at the airport lounge and insisted he acted respectfully throughout the encounter. He also dismissed allegations that he blocked the aircraft, adding that senior airport officials and airline executives later apologised to him and even offered him a private jet to Lagos at no cost.
The musician’s team urged the public to avoid sensationalism and allow the matter to be resolved based on facts rather than speculation. They stressed that K1 remains a law-abiding citizen and is cooperating fully with relevant authorities. Meanwhile, Keyamo has warned that all airlines, both domestic and international, must comply with the no-fly directive or risk losing their operating licences.