Nigerian singer Teniola Apata, aka Teni Makaniki, has revealed how the assassination of her father, late Brig. Gen. Simeon Apata (retd.), in her presence at the age of 2 has had a lasting impact on her life. In an interview with Taymesan, Teni shared that the traumatic experience led to trust issues and robbed her of a father figure.

Speaking about the incident, Teni said, “Growing up with my father passing at such a young age, the trauma of losing my father at a young age affected me. You know, him being assassinated in the presence of all of us and all that stuff. I was 2 at the time.

“Him passing away robbed me of a father figure. It sort of made me have trust issues growing up. Because they [gunmen] came into our house purposely to kill him.”

The late Brig. Gen. Simeon Apata (retd.) was assassinated on January 8, 1995. Teni’s candid revelation sheds light on the lasting effects of trauma and violence on individuals and families 😔.