Popular Nigerian singer, Niniola Apata, has spoken about the deep trauma she still carries after witnessing the assassination of her father, Brigadier-General Simeon Apata (rtd.), many years ago.
General Apata, a retired officer of the Nigerian Army, was killed by gunmen on January 8, 1995, at his home in Lagos. He was shot in the presence of his family, a moment that left lasting scars on his wife and children.
Niniola, who is one of his daughters, revisited the tragic incident during an interview with media personality Jay On Air. She explained that the memory of that day is something she cannot forget, noting that the bond she shared with her late father made the loss even more painful.
“I was in the house when my dad was murdered. And I was his favourite child, so you can imagine the trauma. Till today, I’m not over it. I can never get over it. I was very young when it happened. I don’t remember my exact age then, but it wasn’t a good memory.”
The singer stressed that the incident remains a wound that time has not been able to heal. She explained that losing a parent is painful, but watching it happen before her eyes made it even more traumatic.
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Niniola’s younger sister, Teniola Apata, popularly known as Teni, had also spoken about the family tragedy in 2023. Teni revealed that she was only two years old when the gunmen attacked their home and killed their father. According to her, the experience left her traumatised even at such a tender age.
Brigadier-General Apata (rtd.) was widely respected during his lifetime. Following his death, his family has continued to honour his legacy, with his children making a name for themselves in the Nigerian music industry. Both Niniola and Teni have become household names, often speaking about the influence of their late father on their lives.
The Apata family tragedy remains one of the most shocking incidents of violent attacks on prominent Nigerians in the 1990s.