Beware of ‘Fethullah’ Terrorist Group’s Presence – Türkiye Warns Nigeria
The Government of Türkiye has raised an alarm over the presence and continued operations of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in Nigeria, warning that the group poses a significant threat to national security.
This disclosure was made by Türkiye’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, during a dinner event held Tuesday night in Abuja to commemorate Türkiye’s Democracy and National Unity Day. The occasion marks the anniversary of the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt in Türkiye, which the government blames on the FETO network.
The event, organized by the Turkish Embassy, highlighted the resilience of the Turkish people who, according to Poroy, stood united to thwart the coup and protect the democratically elected government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Poroy emphasized that members of the Gülen movement—accused of orchestrating the coup—remain active in various countries and are being pursued globally.
“They are still being captured and arrested today,” he said. “The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates.”
He noted that FETO continues to maintain a foothold in Nigeria, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare.
“Unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria, especially through schools and health institutions. We consistently alert our Nigerian friends to the dangers posed by this group and encourage vigilance,” Poroy added.
According to the envoy, Türkiye has, through international collaboration, succeeded in dismantling several FETO cells and taking control of many affiliated institutions, especially schools, across allied countries. However, he stressed that the fight is far from over.
“The fact that new investigations and arrests continue to be made shows the importance of pursuing this struggle with unwavering determination,” Poroy said.
He warned that FETO disguises its operations under the guise of humanitarian assistance, interfaith dialogue, and social services, but its true aim is to infiltrate political and bureaucratic systems in host countries.
“You must not forget that behind this humanitarian appearance lies an organisation seeking to undermine the sovereignty of nations,” he cautioned.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gülen movement, also known as Hizmet (meaning “Service” in Turkish), was founded in the 1950s by Turkish Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen. He lived in exile in Pennsylvania, USA, until his death in October 2024 at the age of 83. The Turkish government has accused him of masterminding the 2016 coup attempt, which claimed at least 251 lives and injured thousands.
Following the failed coup, Türkiye launched an aggressive global campaign against FETO, freezing assets and seizing properties linked to the movement, including educational and charitable institutions. Billions of dollars in assets have reportedly been recovered or shut down.
NAN also reports that organizations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and countries including Pakistan and Northern Cyprus have officially designated FETO as a terrorist organization.
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