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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Turkish government has raised fresh concerns over the presence of members of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in Nigeria, warning that the group continues to pose a national security threat across the globe.
The Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy made this known Tuesday night in Abuja at a commemorative dinner hosted by the Turkish mission. The event marked the anniversary of the failed July 15, 2016, coup in Türkiye, which Ankara attributes to FETO operatives.
“The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates,” Poroy declared. “They are still being captured and arrested today.”
The Turkish government claims the attempted overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration was orchestrated by FETO, led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gülen. The group, also known as the Gülen movement, allegedly seeks to infiltrate political and state institutions through seemingly benign operations.
According to Poroy, Nigeria is not exempt from this threat.
“Unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare,” he said.
He noted that although several global networks of the group have been dismantled, “the fact that new investigations and arrests into the organisation continue to be launched demonstrates the need for this struggle to be pursued with unwavering determination.”
The ambassador cautioned Nigerian authorities and the international community to be vigilant, stressing that FETO often hides under the guise of charity and social work.
“In several countries, including Nigeria, FETO continues to pump its operations under the presence of humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue,” Poroy stated. “You must not forget that behind this humanitarian appearance lies an organisation that seeks to infiltrate the political and bureaucratic institutions of host countries.”
Reports have it that the Gülen movement, also known in Turkish as Hizmet (meaning “Service”), was founded in the 1950s and has operated transnationally in areas such as religion, education, and social development. Despite its public image, the Turkish government designates it as a terrorist organisation and has continued to press for its eradication worldwide.