Renowned Fuji music legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate or KWAM 1 has broken his silence regarding the controversial incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja earlier this week.
In a statement personally signed and released on Friday, K1 clarified that contrary to widespread reports, he did not attempt to board a ValueJet flight with alcohol. He explained that the container he was carrying at the time — which allegedly sparked a security concern — contained only water, not alcohol as had been alleged.
“The incident that occurred at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 5, 2025, involving my humble self and ValueJet Airline, was to say the least, unfortunate,” he said.
According to the Fuji icon, he suffers from chronic dehydration and has been medically advised to stay constantly hydrated, hence his use of a personal water flask.
“For the record, I passed through two security screenings with the flask empty. The flask was only filled with water at the lounge area, just before heading to the tarmac. This fact can be verified by the CCTV footage at the airport lounge,” he clarified, stressing that he never boarded the flight in question.
While denying any wrongdoing, K1 expressed deep regret over the concerns the incident may have caused and offered a “heartfelt and unreserved apology” to the Presidency, the Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), ValueJet, and the general public.
“It was never my intention to cause any disruption or violate aviation protocols in any way,” he stated. “I remain committed to upholding the values and responsibilities that come with being a global ambassador of Nigerian music and culture.”
The apology comes days after aviation authorities sanctioned the veteran artist, banning him from flying domestic routes for six months over what was described as a security breach.
The incident has since sparked debate across social media and in entertainment circles, with many Nigerians divided over the propriety of the actions taken by both the artist and aviation officials.
This is a developing story.