Niniola Opens Up on Lasting Trauma of Witnessing Father’s Assassination
The singer recalls the painful memory of losing her father, Brigadier-General Simeon Apata, who was killed in Lagos in 1995.
Popular Nigerian singer Niniola Apata has spoken about the deep trauma she continues to carry after witnessing the assassination of her father, Brigadier-General Simeon Apata (rtd.), nearly three decades ago.
General Apata, a retired officer of the Nigerian Army and founder of Apata Memorial School in Lagos, was murdered by gunmen on January 8, 1995, in the presence of his family.
In a recent interview with media personality Jay On Air, Niniola recalled that the incident left a permanent scar, especially because of her close bond with her father.
“I was in the house when my dad was murdered. And I was his favourite child, so you can imagine the trauma,” she said. “Till today, I’m not over it. I can never get over it. I was very young when it happened… it wasn’t a good memory.”
Her younger sister, Teniola Apata (Teni), also a well-known Nigerian singer, has previously spoken about how witnessing their father’s assassination at the age of two left her deeply shaken.
Despite the tragedy, both sisters have built successful music careers, often crediting their late father’s legacy for shaping their resilience and drive.
