A young Nigerian who fled Boko Haram to seek asylum in Italy has been murdered in a racist assault.

Emmanuel Chidi Namdi, 36, died from injuries from a beating in Fermo after his wife Chinyeri endured racist insults.

They had escaped to Italy after their daughter and Emmanuel's parents had been murdered in an attack on their church in Nigeria by Boko Haram.

They were being aided by the Italian priest, Father Vinicio Albanesi, who has helped hundreds of asylum seekers fleeing persecution of Christians by Islamist terrorists.

"He escaped from Boko Haram. Emmanuel only dreamed of a home and love," Albanesi told Italy's Repubblica newspaper.

Namdi had objected his wife being called "monkey". After the beating, he was admitted to hospital in a coma from which he never awoke.

The couple arrived in Italy last September, travelling across Niger and through Libya, then finding passage by boat to Palermo. They endured violece and harassment by traffickers, and during the journey Chinyeri miscarried the child she was carrying.

"They were deeply in love, they were always together and had big plans," said Albanesi, who organised a vigil in his memory. "Emmanuel was always smiling, full of enthusiasm and plans for the future. He dreamed of a job, a home and especially a residence permit to stay in Italy. He learned Italian quickly."

They did not have the documents for a legal wedding ceremony so Albanesi did a traditional betrothal rite for them.

"Then we had a big party and they were really happy."

He said Namdi's murder had shaken the entire community. He himself has seen bombs placed his churches in an attempt by opponents to discourage the work he is doing to help asylum seekers and refugees. Some have exploded although no serious damage or injuries have been caused so far.

Speaking to Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishop's conference, Albanesi added: "The police know who these attackers are, and they should be stopped immediately."

Italy's Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said the Italian government said he wanted to prevent Italy turning to hatred: "Italians are a great nation, who are at the forefront of demonstrating to the world hospitality to refugees."

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi tweeted for all organisations to unite in remembering Namdi and to fight racism, violence and injustice.