This might be one of the more insane aviation stories I’ve covered, and I’m not sure if to call this road rage, ramp rage, air rage or everyone just being complete idiots.
On August 5, 2025, Nigerian-based ValueJet was scheduled to operate flight VK201, a domestic flight from Abuja (ABV) to Lagos (LOS). While on the ground at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, one of the passengers, Nigerian music artiste King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (known as K1 De Ultimate and KWAM 1), found himself in some hot water after allegedly trying to sneak a flask of alcohol onboard the Bombardier CRJ-900 operated-flight.
According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Marshal was warned by security personnel and flight crew on multiple occasions about carrying alcohol on board, but continued to disregard their requests.
“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.”
Marshal was ultimately denied boarding, and was pulled to the side while the crew buttoned the aircraft in preparation for departure.
Now for the interesting part. After the aircraft started its engines and was preparing for taxi, Marshal ran to the front of the aircraft, refusing the leave.
The now viral video (below) starts off showing four airport security personnel talking to Marshal near the front of the aircraft. The pilots then rapidly increase thrust, while turning left to exit the ramp. When the aircraft taxied out, the five men on near the aircraft were forced to duck for cover as the right wing swung over their heads. The aircraft continued onto Lagos with nothing further to report. Had this been a large aircraft with engines below the wing, the outcome could have been very catastrophic.
Following the incident, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) acknowledged the incident, stating “that the pilot in question commenced departure procedures from the designated bay 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.
“The NCAA views this incident with utmost seriousness.
The two pilots operating flight VK201 were later suspended pending further investigation.
“Consequently, the Authority has taken immediate enforcement action by suspending the licences of the pilot, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First officer Ivan Oloba with immediate effect.”
In a separate update, K1 De Ultimate was put on a national no-fly list, and the NCAA has since called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to launch a full investigation into the matter.
What may have happened
It’s not surprising that someone was filming given that there was essentially drama on the ramp involving a music celebrity, but what’s puzzling is why did the pilots choose to taxi without following the proper protocols? Were they tired of waiting and just pushed their way forward to get out of the ramp? Were they trying to be spiteful to the singer by giving him a scare? Or did they just taxi forward completely unaware they there were ground personnel near the right wing of the aircraft?
We won’t know for sure what led to this reckless behavior, and it will be interesting to see what the final report says on the matter.
