A Kaduna State court has ordered the Commissioner of Police to force open the gates of Kaduna State University following an industrial dispute involving three university workers’ unions.
The Principal District Court of Kaduna State authorised the police commissioner to deploy designated officers, under the supervision of an authorised court official, to remove barriers preventing access to the university.
The order, granted on November 10, also empowered the police to break locks, remove chains and dismantle other barriers securing the university gates.
However, the court directed that only reasonable and necessary force should be used to restore access to the campus for authorised staff and students.
The order followed an ex parte application filed by the university management and Governing Council amid the ongoing industrial action.
The court said the directive would remain in force pending the hearing of the motion on notice or the interim order made by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in suit number NICN/ABJ/329/2026.
The unions involved in the dispute are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), alongside their respective officials.
In an affidavit supporting the application, the Chairman of KASU’s Governing Council, Ibrahim Umar, said the National Industrial Court, Abuja Judicial Division, had issued an interim order on November 5 restraining the unions from commencing, participating in or giving effect to the industrial action.
Umar said the order was enrolled and issued under seal on November 6, directing the unions to suspend the strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
According to him, the court processes, including the interim order, were served on the unions at about 2.30pm on November 9.
He, however, alleged that the unions proceeded with the strike despite the court order and a meeting with the university management.
Umar further told the court that the unions subsequently locked the university gates, staff offices and classrooms, preventing authorised workers and students from gaining access to the facilities.
He said the industrial action had disrupted academic and administrative activities, adding that the gates, offices and classrooms remained locked as of the latest inspection.
The latest order gives the police the authority to restore access to the university while the substantive dispute remains before the National Industrial Court.
