In a deeply personal revelation, Afrobeats sensation Niniola has broken her silence about witnessing the brutal assassination of her father, retired Brigadier-General Simeon Olaosebikan Apata, thirty years ago.
The tragic incident occurred on January 8, 1995, when gunmen killed the retired military officer in Lagos in the presence of his family, including his young daughters, who would later become two of Nigeria’s most celebrated musical talents.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview with Jay On Air, the “Maradona” hitmaker revealed the profound and lasting impact of the traumatic experience. “I was in the house when my dad was murdered. And I was his favorite child, so you can imagine [the trauma],” Niniola disclosed, her voice heavy with emotion. “Till today, I’m not over it. I can never get over it.”
The assassination has cast a long shadow over the Apata family. Brigadier-General Apata was 50 years old at the time of his death and originally from Ilejemeje in Ekiti State, though he was based in Lagos. Known for his bravery and his relentless pursuit of armed robbers and criminals in his neighborhood, he had made many enemies who ultimately orchestrated his killing.
The trauma extended beyond Niniola to her younger sister, Teniola Apata, professionally known as Teni, who has also achieved remarkable success in the Nigerian music industry. Teni has previously spoken about how witnessing the assassination at just two years old left her with lasting trust issues, describing how the experience “robbed me of a father figure.”
What makes this story particularly poignant is how both sisters have channeled their pain into musical success. Coming from a polygamous family where Niniola was the sixth of ten children raised by three mothers, the loss of their father figure created a void that has influenced their artistic journeys and personal lives.
The sisters’ openness about their shared trauma has resonated with fans across Nigeria and beyond, highlighting how early childhood experiences can shape artistic expression. Despite achieving international recognition and commercial success, both Niniola and Teni continue to honor their father’s memory, with the family regularly paying tribute to the fallen military officer on the anniversary of his death.
This revelation adds new depth to understanding the emotional undercurrents that have driven both sisters to the pinnacle of African popular music, transforming personal tragedy into artistic triumph while keeping their father’s legacy alive through their platforms and success.
The assassination of Brigadier-General Apata remains a stark reminder of the security challenges that plagued Nigeria in the 1990s and how violence can irreversibly alter the trajectory of families, even those that go on to achieve remarkable success against all odds.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nigerian music stars Niniola and Teni both witnessed their father’s assassination as young children in 1995, when retired Brigadier-General Simeon Apata was gunned down by criminals in Lagos.
This traumatic experience—which Niniola describes as something she “can never get over”—has profoundly shaped both sisters’ lives and artistic journeys. Despite achieving international success, the loss of their father remains a defining moment that continues to influence their music and personal development thirty years later.
