“Break Open Locks, Remove Chains And Restore Access” — Court Authorises Police To Reopen KASU Gates

The Principal District Court of Kaduna State has authorised the Commissioner of Police to reopen the gates of Kaduna State University through designated officers and under the supervision of an authorised court official.

The order followed a motion ex parte filed by the university through its management and Governing Council.

The court also directed the Commissioner of Police to break open any lock, remove any chain or clear any other barrier securing the university gates.

In granting the application on November 10, 2026, the court ordered that only such force as was reasonable and necessary should be used to restore access to the campus for authorised staff and students.

According to the court, the order would remain in force pending the hearing of the motion on notice or the subsistence of the interim order earlier made by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in suit number NICN/ABJ/329/2026.

The management and Governing Council of KASU had approached the court seeking an interim injunction restraining the affected unions from locking the university gates or preventing authorised staff and students from accessing the campus.

The respondents listed in the application are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the National Association of Academic Technologists, alongside their respective officials.

In an affidavit filed in support of the application, the Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Ibrahim Umar, said the National Industrial Court, Abuja Judicial Division, had on November 5, 2026, issued an interim order restraining the unions from commencing, participating in or giving effect to the industrial action.

According to Umar, the order was enrolled and issued under seal on November 6 and directed the unions to cease and desist from the strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before the court.

He said the relevant court processes, including the interim order, were served on the respondents at 2:30 p.m. on November 9.

Umar, however, alleged that the unions proceeded with the strike notwithstanding the service of the court processes and a meeting with the university management.

He further alleged that the unions subsequently locked the university gates, staff offices and classrooms, thereby preventing authorised staff and students from accessing the affected facilities.

According to him, the development disrupted the university’s academic and administrative activities.

Umar said the affected gates, offices and classrooms remained locked as of the latest inspection, prompting the university management and Governing Council to seek further judicial intervention.

The Principal District Court subsequently authorised the Commissioner of Police to reopen the gates, remove the alleged obstructions and restore access to authorised staff and students pending further proceedings.

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