Nigerian nurse considers leaving Belfast after alleged attack during anti-immigrant unrest
A Nigerian nurse based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Chinonso Uche, has said she no longer feels safe in the city after she was allegedly attacked amid ongoing anti-immigrant protests triggered by a violent assault involving a migrant.
Uche said she was struck on the head with a stone while returning home from work in her nursing uniform, an incident that has left her questioning her future in Northern Ireland after five years of living and working there.
Speaking to local media, Uche described the current atmosphere as frightening for foreign nationals, particularly healthcare workers who have become targets of hostility following days of unrest.
According to her, the attack occurred as tensions escalated across Belfast in the aftermath of a violent incident involving a Sudanese national.
Reports indicate that on June 8, 2026, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, allegedly attacked a 40-year-old man, Stephen Ogilvie, inflicting multiple stab wounds to his face, neck and back.
Witnesses reportedly intervened and restrained the suspect until police officers arrived at the scene.
The victim sustained severe injuries during the attack and reportedly lost an eye.
The incident sparked protests and anti-immigrant demonstrations in parts of Northern Ireland, with reports of violence, arson attacks and damage to property.
Recounting her experience, Chinonso Uche said she was assaulted while heading home from her shift at a hospital.
“Some boys threw a stone at me and hit me on the head while I was still wearing my nursing uniform,” she said.
The Nigerian nurse also expressed disappointment at some of the reactions she received after sharing her ordeal online.
She said many social media users responded by telling immigrants to leave the country, despite the essential roles many of them play in the healthcare sector.
“When I shared what happened to me, some people said Ireland was tired of immigrants and that we should go back home. It doesn’t seem to matter that I am a nurse. Right now, I don’t feel safe,” she said.
Uche admitted that the recent wave of violence has made her consider relocating from Northern Ireland.
She also urged those demanding the departure of migrants to reflect on the contribution foreign workers make to society, particularly in healthcare.
“It’s a very difficult and frightening time to be a healthcare worker,” Chinonso Uche said, adding that many migrants provide critical services, including caring for elderly residents.
The unrest has reignited debates around immigration, public safety and the protection of foreign workers in Northern Ireland, as authorities continue efforts to restore calm and prevent further violence.
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