“As Pilot-in-Command, I have a legal and moral obligation to prioritise the safety and well-being of my passengers and crew”
ValueJet Pilot, Captain Ranti Ogoyi, Narrates Onboard Incident Involving Fuji Musician K1
In a candid and composed recount, Captain Ranti Ogoyi, the pilot-in-command of ValueJet Flight VK201 from Abuja to Lagos, has broken her silence on the incident involving renowned Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) that disrupted the smooth operation of the early morning flight.
According to Captain Ogoyi, boarding had commenced promptly at 8:10 a.m., as scheduled. Just minutes into the process—between 08:15 and 08:20—KWAM 1 approached the aircraft, carrying a gold flask containing an undisclosed substance.
“In line with standard aviation protocol, ground staff politely requested to verify the contents of the flask,” the Captain explained. “However, Mr. Ayinde refused, brushing aside the request with the words: ‘Do you know who I am? You have no right to tell me to open my flask.’“
The ground crew, concerned that the flask might contain alcohol—a substance prohibited on board commercial aircraft in Nigeria—sought assistance from security personnel. The situation quickly escalated.
“As he reached the foot of the aircraft, security reiterated that he could not board unless he complied with the inspection. Instead of cooperating, he became confrontational, drawing attention and causing a disturbance that unsettled the boarding process,” Captain Ogoyi stated.
Recognizing the need to de-escalate the situation and ensure passenger safety, Captain Ogoyi made the unusual but necessary decision to leave the cockpit and engage directly with the passenger.
“I approached Mr. Ayinde calmly and courteously in an attempt to resolve the situation. But without warning, he uncapped the flask and splashed its contents—suspected to be alcoholic—on myself, the security staff, and several nearby passengers. It was a shocking and deeply unprofessional act.”
Following this assault, airport security personnel swiftly intervened. On their advice, and in line with safety procedures, KWAM 1 was denied access to the flight.
“As Pilot-in-Command, I have a legal and moral obligation to prioritize the safety and well-being of my passengers and crew. Given Mr. Ayinde’s actions and aggressive conduct, I fully supported the recommendation that he should not be allowed on board.”
With boarding completed and the aircraft doors shut, the disruption was still not over.
“I noticed Mr. Ayinde lingering dangerously close to the aircraft, obstructing our ability to move safely. I made a public announcement to passengers explaining the delay, while ground security worked to clear the area.”
Once the musician had been removed from the vicinity, Flight VK201 finally commenced taxiing, departing Abuja at approximately 8:50 a.m., nearly 40 minutes behind schedule.
“This incident caused significant operational delays, compromised the travel experience for innocent passengers, and most importantly, posed a direct safety risk to the crew, the passengers, and the aircraft itself,” Captain Ogoyi concluded.
The account by Captain Ranti Ogoyi underscores the challenges faced by airline personnel in ensuring safe, orderly, and respectful air travel, even when dealing with high-profile individuals. Her actions have been praised as an example of firm yet professional leadership in the face of adversity. Read More
