By Ben Efe 18.5.2026
Former youth Nigerian athlete Bukola Pereira has been shot and killed in Lockland near Cincinnati USA.
Bukky as he was fondly called by her peers was shot dead during a robbery at the auto parts shop where she was working to fund her master’s degree.
Before she went to the USA to further her education, Bukky was one of Nigeria’s promising youth athletes. She was mentored by Esther Obiekwe a banker and road race enthusiast.
Bukky, a soft spoken youngster aspiring singer according to reports, attempted to prevent the robbers from taking the $1500 of sales from the day, when she was shot.
Commenting on her tragic death Sports Coaches Association of Nigeria president Gabriel Opuana lamented that Bukky died needlessly.
“Some months ago I personally intervened to prevent her from being deported back to Nigeria.
“She had finished her first degree and she couldn’t show proof she had documentation to stay.
“She was detained by immigration, it was I who pulled some strings to get her out.
“Hearing that she had been killed really shocked me to my bones.”