Superstar Fuji artiste, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, has denied claims of inappropriate behaviour during a boarding incident on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
A statement on Thursday by K1’s spokesman, Kunle Rasheed, said the reports were exaggerated and misleading.
“At no point did K1 act in a manner that endangered lives or breached safety regulations. The substance in question, which was wrongly sensationalised, was nothing more than plain drinking water, given to him at the airport lounge while he waited to board the aircraft.
“Claims that K1 blocked the aircraft or attempted to disrupt operations are completely unfounded. The veteran artiste, who is globally respected and frequently travels both locally and internationally, understands and strictly adheres to aviation protocols,” the statement said.
It claimed that airport officials, including the head of airport security and executives from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, intervened to de-escalate the issue.
“The chairman and managing director of the airline would not have reached out personally to appeal, tender apologies, and even go as far as arranging a private jet to fly him to Lagos, at no cost. Despite persistent persuasion from the airline’s top executives, K1 graciously declined the offer,” he said.
On Wednesday, FAAN confirmed that K1 was scheduled to board the morning flight, VK 201, to Lagos on Tuesday. It stated that preliminary findings confirmed the musician attempted to carry an unidentified liquid onboard, despite repeated warnings from aviation security and the flight captain.
FAAN noted that under international standards, including Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Security Programme and ICAO Annex 17, liquids above 100ml must be declared and medically justified.
According to FAAN, the musician was reportedly informed but declined to comply with the regulation.
“As boarding continued, an airline security officer asked the passenger to step aside for clarification,” the agency said.
FAAN stated that the passenger allegedly refused and poured the liquid – later confirmed as alcohol – on the officer. It added that the musician was eventually escorted away by AVSEC’s crime unit for investigation and later released.
Additionally, a statement from the NCAA stated that the authority had received reports concerning a breach of aviation safety protocols by a ValueJet pilot at the airport. It stated that the preliminary information indicated the pilot commenced departure procedures without adhering to the mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols.
“This reckless action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards,” NCAA said.
It said that the pilot and co-pilot had both been suspended pending the conclusion of a full investigation into the incident.
Similarly, ValueJet’s management, in a statement, acknowledged the incident. The airline stated that it was providing the NCAA with its full cooperation in the authority’s investigation.
“The crew involved were removed immediately from active duty, pending the outcome of a thorough internal review and investigation that has commenced to understand the root cause and prevent any recurrence,” it said.
(NAN)
