A Kaduna court has authorised the police to force open the gates of Kaduna State University following an ongoing labour dispute that has disrupted academic and administrative activities.
The Principal District Court of Kaduna State directed the Commissioner of Police to deploy designated officers, under the supervision of an authorised court official, to restore access to the university.
The order, granted on November 10, followed an ex parte application filed by the university’s management and Governing Council.
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It empowers the police to break locks, remove chains and dismantle other barriers securing the gates, using only such force as may be reasonably necessary to allow authorised staff and students into the campus.
The order is to remain in force pending the hearing of the motion on notice or the interim order issued by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in suit number NICN/ABJ/329/2026.
KASU management had approached the court seeking an interim injunction to stop three university unions from locking the gates or preventing staff and students from accessing the campus.
The unions listed as respondents are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and National Association of Academic Technologists, alongside their respective officials.
In an affidavit supporting the application, the Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Ibrahim Umar, said the National Industrial Court in Abuja had issued an interim order on November 5 restraining the unions from commencing, participating in or giving effect to the industrial action.
He said the order, which was enrolled and issued under seal on November 6, directed the unions to suspend the strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
According to Umar, the court processes were served on the unions at 2.30pm on November 9. However, he alleged that the unions proceeded with the strike despite the order and a meeting with the university management.
He further told the court that the unions locked the university gates, staff offices and classrooms, thereby preventing authorised personnel and students from gaining access to the facilities.
The Governing Council chairman said the action had disrupted academic and administrative activities, adding that the affected gates, offices and classrooms remained locked as of the latest inspection.
The latest order gives the police authority to remove the physical barriers, although its duration is tied to further proceedings in the matter and the interim directive of the National Industrial Court.
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