The Turkish government has raised concerns over the continued presence of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) in Nigeria, warning that the group is operating under the guise of schools and health institutions.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday evening at a dinner hosted to commemorate Türkiye’s Democracy and National Unity Day, Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, described FETO’s activities in Nigeria as a matter of national security.
The ceremony, held annually on July 15, marks the failed 2016 coup attempt in Türkiye, which the Turkish government attributes to the Fethullah Gülen-led network. The coup, according to Ankara, claimed over 250 lives but was foiled by the resistance of patriotic citizens and loyal security forces.
Ambassador Poroy emphasized that although several FETO-linked operatives have been captured and detained globally, the group still maintains influence in numerous countries — including Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare,” Poroy stated.
“We consistently inform our Nigerian friends about the nature and dangers of this organisation and urge them to remain vigilant and cautious.”
The envoy revealed that Türkiye, through strategic international cooperation, has been able to dismantle many of FETO’s foreign networks and seize affiliated institutions. However, he noted that efforts must be sustained as the group’s global structures remain largely intact.
“In several countries, including Nigeria, FETO continues to pump its operations under the guise of humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue,” he warned.
“Behind this humanitarian appearance lies an organisation that seeks to infiltrate the political and bureaucratic institutions of host countries.”
Poroy’s comments come amidst Türkiye’s persistent global crackdown on the Gülen movement, widely known as Hizmet, founded in the 1950s by the now-deceased Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen, who died in exile in Pennsylvania, United States, in October 2024.
The Turkish government accuses the group of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt and has officially designated it a terrorist organisation. Billions of dollars in Gülen-linked assets have since been seized or frozen worldwide, and affiliated schools, foundations, and companies have been shut down or nationalised.
Notably, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and countries including Pakistan and Northern Cyprus have also classified FETO as a terrorist group, further aligning with Türkiye’s stance.
The Turkish Embassy’s Democracy and National Unity Day event in Abuja served as a reminder of Türkiye’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to rally international support in curbing what it describes as a sophisticated and dangerous transnational threat.
