Police Investigate Killing Of Nigerian Athlete Oluwabukola Pereira In USA

Police in the United States are continuing investigations into the killing of Nigerian middle-distance athlete and graduate student Oluwabukola Pereira, who was shot during an alleged robbery in Lockland, Ohio, just days before she was due to complete her MBA.

Oluwabukola Pereira, 30, was killed on May 8 at the Arise Auto Centre on the 500 block of North Wayne Avenue, where she worked as a cashier.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting prompted a temporary shelter-in-place order while officers secured the area and warned residents to avoid nearby streets. The coroner confirmed she died at the scene from gunshot injuries.

Detectives have appealed for surveillance footage from residents and businesses in Lockland and neighbouring Lincoln Heights.

“Detectives are asking residents and business owners in both Lockland and nearby Lincoln Heights to review any available surveillance footage, including Ring camera video, for possible evidence captured between the hours of 12:30 and 3 p.m.,” WCPO Cincinnati reported.

Investigators described the suspect as a Black man of heavy build, reportedly wearing grey sweatpants and a black top or sweatshirt and possibly a long black wig, who fled towards a creek behind the business.

Pereira represented Nigeria in middle-distance athletics and built a career across domestic and international competitions. She held a personal best of 2:12.68 in the 800 metres and 4:39.57 in the 1500 metres, both set in Warrensburg, Missouri in May 2019.

Her career spanned more than a decade, from the 2012 AFN Golden League in Port Harcourt to collegiate meets in the United States and the 2024 Portland Track Festival.

Her grassroots coach, Rauf Abass, told The Punch she had been due to graduate on 16 May.

“It was very painful news for all of us when we heard what happened,” Abass said.

“Myself alongside her long-time benefactor Mrs Esther, were the ones who went to break the news to the family in Nigeria.”

“We went to the family residence on Saturday evening to inform them. The family is aware now. Both the father and mother have been informed.”

Abass said the sporting community later visited the family to offer condolences.

“I tried as much as possible to coordinate her running mates. Some are no longer active in competition, but I brought them together to ensure everyone was informed and visited to offer condolences,” he said.

“It is a very sad situation. I pray I never have to be the one to break such news again.

“She was also a breadwinner for the family, so it is extremely painful for them. I had even spoken with her the night before the incident occurred.”

A co-worker, Don Simpson, said Pereira attempted to confront the suspect during the robbery.

“They called me and told me she didn’t make it,” Simpson said.

“I see her every day. As I said, she does the cash. When people come in with cash, she pays for the cars. I was delivering a load, and at first I thought it wasn’t true cause it’s broad daylight.”

Her fiancé, Gbenga Showole, said plans were underway to establish a foundation in her memory.

“Anybody you talk to who’s met her will tell you how much her faith was important to her and how much caring for other people was really important to her,” he told Fox19 Now Cincinnati.

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