Nigerian Community in UK Raises Funds to Return Slain Student’s Body Home

Members of the Nigerian community in Norwich, United Kingdom, have launched a fundraising drive to repatriate the remains of Uchenna Okirie, a Nigerian student who was stabbed to death in his apartment late last year.

Okirie, popularly called “Common Man” by friends, was killed in November 2025 under circumstances that deeply unsettled both local residents and Nigerians in the diaspora. UK authorities have since charged a 27-year-old Congolese national, Benjamin Katabana, in connection with the incident.

To enable his return to Nigeria for burial, the Nigerian Community Norwich opened an online donation campaign, appealing to Nigerians and well-wishers for support. As of midweek, the fundraiser had attracted over £1,100 from dozens of donors toward a £7,000 target.

In messages shared by the organisers, Okirie was described as a kind-hearted and dependable young man who consistently supported others, especially newly arrived international students struggling to settle in the UK.

He completed a master’s degree in Development Economics at the University of East Anglia during the 2021/2022 academic session and also served as an international student ambassador. Friends say he frequently offered accommodation, guidance, and practical help to fellow students navigating life abroad.

Community leaders noted that Okirie had no immediate family members living in the UK, making collective support necessary to cover transportation and funeral costs. They said the fundraising effort is a way to honour his generosity and ensure he receives a dignified farewell in his home country.

The organisers added that every contribution, regardless of size, brings them closer to laying him to rest and celebrating a life remembered for quiet service, compassion, and selflessness.