The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has formally responded to the incident involving Nigerian musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday.
DAILY POST reports that Kwam1 was removed from a ValueJet flight on Tuesday after allegedly violating aviation security regulations.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, FAAN said the passenger attempted to board the aircraft with an unidentified liquid substance, contrary to international aviation safety rules, which prohibit carrying liquids exceeding 100ml unless properly declared for medical purposes.
According to the statement, Aviation Security, AVSEC personnel and the flight captain reportedly warned the musician, but he allegedly refused to comply.
“As boarding continued, an airline security officer asked the passenger to step aside for further clarification. The passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol. The Flight Captain intervened but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft door.
“At this juncture, the passenger moved to the front of the aircraft and refused to leave the area despite repeated requests. He was ultimately escorted away by AVSEC crime unit for further investigation, after which he was released,” part of the statement read.
FAAN further stressed that it will not tolerate actions that compromise airport operations or aviation safety, regardless of who is involved.