By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan |
The Turkish government has issued a stark warning to Nigeria about the presence of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), a group linked to a failed 2016 coup in Turkey, operating within the country.
At a recent event in Abuja marking Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day, Mehmet Poroy, Turkey’s ambassador-designate to Nigeria, revealed that FETO members are still active in Nigeria, particularly in education and healthcare sectors, disguising their operations as humanitarian efforts.
Poroy emphasized that FETO, led by the late Fethullah Gülen, remains a global security threat, with ongoing arrests worldwide. Despite Turkey’s efforts to dismantle its networks, the group continues to infiltrate institutions in host countries, including Nigeria.
“We urge Nigerian authorities to remain vigilant. FETO hides behind schools and charities but seeks to influence political and bureaucratic systems,” Poroy warned.
Since the 2016 coup attempt, Turkey has led a global campaign against FETO, shutting down its schools, businesses, and NGOs. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and nations like Pakistan have labeled FETO a terrorist group.
Despite Gülen’s death in 2024, Turkey continues to pursue FETO operatives, stressing that the group’s hidden agenda endangers any nation where it operates.
With FETO-linked institutions still functioning in Nigeria, security experts warn that the group could exploit local systems. Will Nigerian authorities act on Turkey’s alert?
(NAN)