Türkiye warns of FETO terrorist group’s continued presence in Nigeria
By: Zagazola Makama
The Turkish government has raised fresh concerns over the continued operations of a group it labels as the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) in Nigeria, warning that the group poses a serious threat to national security.
Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, made this known on Tuesday night in Abuja at a dinner hosted by the Turkish Embassy to mark Türkiye’s Democracy and National Unity Day.
The event commemorates the July 15, 2016 failed coup in Türkiye, which the government attributes to the FETO network, allegedly led by exiled Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen.
Poroy said that although the coup was crushed by the collective resistance of Turkish citizens and loyal security forces, the FETO threat remains active both in Türkiye and globally.
“They are still being captured and arrested today. The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates,” Poroy said.
“Unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare.
“We consistently inform our Nigerian friends about the nature and dangers of this organisation, and urge them to remain vigilant and cautious,” he added.
The envoy revealed that Turkish authorities, in cooperation with international partners, have successfully dismantled many FETO-linked networks and institutions in various countries.
He disclosed that several schools and affiliated institutions previously under the group’s control have now been taken over by the Turkish government and its agencies abroad.
Despite these efforts, Poroy warned that FETO continues to operate in disguise under humanitarian, educational, and interfaith initiatives.
“You must not forget that behind this humanitarian appearance lies an organisation that seeks to infiltrate the political and bureaucratic institutions of host countries,” he cautioned.
The Gülen movement also known as Hizmet (Service) in Turkish is a global network originally founded in the 1950s and led by Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish Islamic cleric who died in exile in Pennsylvania, U.S., in October 2024 at the age of 83.
The Turkish government officially labels the group as a terrorist organisation, accusing it of masterminding the 2016 coup attempt that left at least 251 people dead.
In the aftermath, Türkiye launched a sweeping crackdown on FETO-linked entities worldwide, freezing or seizing assets of associated schools, businesses, foundations, and individuals.
The movement, however, denies involvement in the coup and rejects the terrorism label.
Several international bodies, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Pakistan, and Northern Cyprus, have formally designated FETO as a terrorist organisation.
Sources NAN
