The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has condemned the disruption of an aircraft’s take-off, labeling it an “act of terrorism” and warning that such actions attract grave consequences.
Speaking on Arise TV on Sunday, Mike Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, addressed the alleged unruly behaviour of popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1), during a recent ValueJet flight.
Achimugu said, “Your first responsibility at the airport is respect and obey instructions from the officials on ground. The passenger (KWAM 1) has not done that.
“What he did in most climes is considered terrorism. You cannot stop an aircraft from taking off. There is nothing that excuses it.”
Achimugu revealed that a probe had been launched to determine how the musician gained access to the restricted point where the incident occurred.
The investigation, he said, would involve FAAN, AVSEC, and NAMA to examine all angles, including whether air traffic control had cleared the pilot to depart.
“Did the air traffic control clear the pilot to fly seeing that it was not safe for her to proceed? All of these questions will be answered during the course of the investigation,” he added.
On August 7, the NCAA petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the incident involving Flight VK201.
According to the authority, KWAM 1’s actions breached Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, Ayinde has been placed on a no-fly list, effectively barring him from boarding any flight within the country.
