The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to lift the suspension placed on the licences of two ValueJet pilots over the recent airport incident involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1.
The NCAA had suspended captain Oluranti Ogoyi and first officer Ivan Oloba after an incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on August 5. K1 was accused of unruly behaviour on the tarmac before boarding, leading to a disruption in pre-flight operations.
In a statement signed by NAAPE president Galadima Abednego, the union acknowledged “the captain’s less than optimal discretion” but blamed the situation on the “crude, unruly behaviour and arrogant display” by K1.
“NAAPE calls on the authorities to lay the blame on KWAM 1 and make him face the full wrath of the law to prevent future incidents,” Abednego said.
The NAAPE boss commended the “timely action taken in the public interest” by the ministry of aviation and aerospace development and the NCAA, stressing that the aviation industry is built on safety and security.
“While we are not against investigation, we demand it be open, transparent, and unbiased,” he added.
According to Abednego, the pilots acted under “intense provocation” despite having unblemished records in the profession. He urged ValueJet to continue to support them and appealed to the flying public to cooperate with aviation authorities.
“Safety is aviation’s top priority,” he said.
The NCAA has yet to announce whether the pilots will be reinstated. K1 has apologised for his actions, but petitions against him remain before the Attorney General of the Federation and the inspector general of police, who will decide the next steps.
K1, also known as K1 De Ultimate, is one of Nigeria’s influential Fuji musicians with a career spanning over four decades.
The 68-year-old, who was installed as the Mayegun of Yorubaland in 2020, has been in the news multiple times over alleged altercations at public events.
