A 30-year-old Nigerian athlete and graduate student, Oluwabukola Pereira, has been shot dead in the United States just days before her scheduled graduation ceremony.
Pereira was reportedly killed on Friday, May 8, during a robbery incident at Arise Auto Center in Lockland, Ohio, where she worked.
According to reports, a staff member at the auto shop, Don Simpson, said Pereira attempted to pursue a suspect who allegedly fled with about $1,500 before she was shot.
“She was loyal, good and brave,” Simpson was quoted as saying. “She came to this country trying to build a good life.”
Originally from Nigeria, Pereira was expected to graduate from Xavier University on May 16 with a Master of Business Administration degree. The university also disclosed that she had secured admission for another postgraduate programme in Business Analytics scheduled to begin later this year.
In a statement issued by university president Colleen Hanycz, Pereira was described as a woman known for her positivity, strong faith and generous nature.
“Friends describe her as kind, honest, intelligent and beautiful , inside and out,” the statement noted.
Beyond academics, Pereira was actively involved in athletics and was a member of Cincinnati’s Elite running group, participating in several competitions, including the Flying Pig Marathon.
Her family described her as “a bright and shining star” who dedicated her life to worship, prayer and supporting others.
Pereira, the first of four children, was also preparing for her wedding later this year after becoming engaged in 2025.
Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities have appealed to members of the public to provide any useful information that could assist ongoing investigations into the shooting.
According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect is believed to be a man between the ages of 25 and 35. Investigators said he is Black or Hispanic, with long braided or dreadlocked hair, and was last seen fleeing toward the Gardner Park area.
Experienced broadcast journalist with over 5 years of experience in reporting, multimedia editing, and storytelling across both traditional and digital media. I currently work with Vision FM 92.1 and Daily Frontier, where I report on security, conflict, and humanitarian issues, while also translating news into Hausa and Pidgin to reach wider audiences.
I also serve as a correspondent for Daily Frontier in Plateau and Benue States, Nigeria, covering security, conflict, and humanitarian developments in the region.
I hold a Diploma in Mass Communication from Adamawa State Polytechnic and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the National Open University of Nigeria.
