The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to reconsider the suspension of a ValueJet pilot and her assistant over the August 5 security breach incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to NAN, the association’s request was published in a statement signed by Galadima Abednego, its national president, on Saturday.
On August 5, the NCAA suspended two ValueJet pilots over a safety breach at the domestic terminal of the aforementioned airport.
TheCable reported that the pilots’ suspension was linked to the disorderly conduct of Wasiu Ayinde, the veteran Fuji musician also known as KWAM 1, who was onboard the flight.
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Abednego urged the NCAA to conduct a transparent, unbiased, and open investigation into the incident.
He acknowledged that the ValueJet captain could have exercised better discretion but strongly condemned the musician’s “unruly behaviour.”
The NAAPE pilot stressed that aviation operations rest on two core pillars — safety and security — and that the association, as a frontline professional body, places the highest premium on the principles.
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While commending the minister of aviation and aerospace development and the NCAA director-general for their swift response in the public interest, Abednego insisted that the musician should be held accountable for his actions.
“While we note the captain’s less than optimal discretion, we totally condemn KWAM 1’s crude, unruly behaviour and arrogant display,” he said.
“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.
“While we are not against investigation, we demand it be open, transparent, and unbiased.
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“The intense provocation caused by KWAM 1’s actions stretched the tolerance of seasoned pilots with unblemished records.”
The NAAPE president appealed to the NCAA to review its decision and restore the licences of the ValueJet pilot and first officer, while also urging the airline to continue supporting them.
He further called on Nigerians, particularly the flying public, to cooperate with lawful authorities and aviation workers at airports.
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