Nigerian woman buoyed by kindness of neighbours after racist attack

Uche Ukeje had considered leaving Strabane

A Nigerian woman targeted in a racist graffiti attack has decided not to leave her home after being "showered" in "love and care" by the local community.

The words "immigrants out" were spray-painted on the gable wall of Uche Ukeje's home in Strabane, County Tyrone, last week.

Ms Ukeje and her two daughters, aged 24 and 14, were left terrified by what police are describing as a racially-motivated hate crime.

"The community have been wonderful," she told BBC News NI.

The racist slogan was spray-painted on a wall of the Ukeje family home

Ms Ukeje said it was the first time she or her family had experienced any type of racism since they moved to Strabane two years ago.

Security cameras have since been installed at the property.

Ms Ukeje said her family remain "deeply unsettled" and had considered relocating away from Strabane but the overwhelming support from neighbours and wider community has persuaded her to stay.

"A lot of people have been calling around, to see how I am feeling, and they care so much," she said, adding that Strabane is a "quiet, and peace-loving place".

She told BBC News NI that police have been doing extra patrols on her street.

"The people of Strabane have showered me in love and care, it has been overwhelming," she added.

Kamini Rao, from Strabane Ethnic Community Association, says she is glad Ms Ukeje changed her mind

Kamini Rao, from Strabane Ethnic Community Association, said people's shock turned to anger in the days following the incident.

"The response from the community has been so overwhelming," she said.

"Everybody has been 100% behind Uche and the girls, supporting them, because nobody wanted to see them leaving Strabane."

She said she was glad that Ms Ukeje and her daughters have changed their minds and will remain in the place they now call home.

Ms Rao said the outcome proved that whoever was behind the racist attack had not won.

"We're going to be working on the ground to make sure nothing like this ever happens again in the community," she said.

"She's loved round here and what happened to her was very intimidating, it was a disgrace what happened to her.

"I'm glad her neighbours rallied round to show her that that's not the type of people here in Strabane."