Court Orders Police to Reopen KASU Gates Locked by Striking Unions

The Principal District Court of Kaduna State has authorised the police to reopen the gates of Kaduna State University (KASU), which were locked by striking unions.

The order empowers the Commissioner of Police to deploy designated officers, under the supervision of an authorised court official, to remove barriers blocking access to the university. Granted on November 10, 2026, following an ex parte application by the university's management and Governing Council, it also authorises the police to break locks, remove chains and dismantle any other barriers securing the gates. The court directed the police to use only such force as is reasonably necessary to restore access to the campus for authorised staff and students.

The order will 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 university's management and Governing Council had asked the court for an interim injunction restraining the unions from locking the gates or preventing authorised staff and students from accessing the campus. The unions named as respondents are the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), along with their respective officials.

In a supporting affidavit, the Chairman of KASU's Governing Council, Ibrahim Umar, said the National Industrial Court, Abuja Judicial Division, 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, enrolled and issued under seal on November 6, directed the unions to stop the strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

According to the affidavit, the court processes, including the interim order, were served on the unions at 2:30 p.m. on November 9. Umar said the unions went ahead with the strike despite the order and a meeting with the university management. He alleged that they then locked the university gates, staff offices and classrooms, preventing authorised staff and students from accessing the facilities. He said this has disrupted academic and administrative activities, and that the gates, offices and classrooms remained locked as of the latest inspection.