We have the same with our 2 year old.  Like you said, getting rid of naps helps, but isn't a cure all.

We still have to hold her when we get her to go to sleep, but usually, we can then just slip her into bed and she's right for the rest of the night.  Some nights, we do have to have her in our bed, but we only give in because we have 3 other children and don't want them awake all night too.

My daughter has just started to do this, she did it before, and it was cause something was upsetting her.  At the time it was a noise that scared her deeply.  Why she is doing it again this time I think cause she again was upset by a crazy lady.  Anyway, could something have scared your little girl?  A noise, something she saw on tv?  Have you changed anything in her routine, or is she potty trained?  Has she learned something new or have you started something new with her?  You said that you have elminated her naps, this could cause her to be slightly overtired( until she adjusts) which also can cause children to wake in the middle of night as it can be hard for them to sleep well from actually being overlytired. 

If so, this could have upset her sleep and thus causing her to wake up at night.  Did you let her sleep with you a couple of times?  If so, she may be self waking so that she can come into bed with you.  One thing I did with my girl was I told her that she had to sleep in her bed and no getting out unless something was wrong, like she fell or got hurt, or she had to go potty.  Well, that ended it that night and she's been a gem up until this new deal.  It's very easy for them to get out of a routine, no matter how long they have been doing it, to go into a new one, espcially if it means being with mom and dad.  When she does get up, make sure she does not have to go potty, did not get hurt or something of the sort, and then just walk her back into bed, but don't carry her.  Tell her it's bed time and escort her into bed with any conversation.  Hang tight as it may take a day or two for her to get back to being a good sleeper.