A Nigerian nurse based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has said she no longer feels safe in the city after she was allegedly attacked amid ongoing anti-immigrant unrest.
Chinonso Uche, who has worked as a nurse in Belfast for five years, recounted a frightening experience in which she said she was struck on the head with a stone while returning home from work in her nursing uniform.
According to reports, tensions have risen in parts of Northern Ireland following an attack allegedly carried out by a Sudanese national, Hadi Alodid, on June 8. The incident left a local resident, Stephen Ogilvie, seriously injured and triggered a wave of protests and unrest, with some demonstrations reportedly turning violent.
Speaking about her experience, Uche said the attack has left her questioning whether she can continue living in Belfast.
“These boys used a stone and they hit me on the head on my way back from work, all dressed in my nursing uniform,” she said.
She also expressed disappointment at some of the reactions she received after sharing her ordeal online, claiming that many people showed little sympathy despite her role as a healthcare worker.
“What was the response when I shared my story online? It was, ‘Ireland is tired of immigrants, you should go back home.’ Nobody cares what you do, even though they know I’m a nurse. There is no safety for us, that is the truth,” she said.
The nurse described the current situation as a difficult and frightening period for migrants and healthcare workers, adding that the recent violence has made her consider leaving Northern Ireland.
Uche further urged those calling for immigrants to leave to reflect on the contributions migrant workers make to society, particularly in the healthcare sector.
“It’s actually a very scary and hard time as a healthcare worker, to be honest,” she said.
