NLC Commemorates 40 Years Since Aborted June 4 Protest

On June 4, 1986, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), under the leadership of Alhaji Ali Chiroma, planned a nationwide protest march to mourn and address the violence against students, particularly following the brutal response to demonstrations at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) on May 22-23, 1986. The protests were sparked by the murder of students and the insensitivity of the university's vice chancellor, Professor Ango Abdullahi, who invited police to quell the unrest.

The military regime, led by General Ibrahim Babangida, responded with severe measures, including the occupation of the NLC secretariat and the deployment of armed forces to prevent the protest. The NLC declared June 4 a day of mourning and a peaceful march, emphasizing its commitment to human rights and democracy.

However, the military's oppressive tactics led to the protest being aborted, highlighting the ongoing struggle against authoritarianism in Nigeria.