The Turkish government has issued a stern warning to Nigeria regarding the continued activities of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which Ankara blames for the failed 2016 coup in Türkiye. According to Turkish officials, the group remains active globally, including in Nigeria, particularly within education and healthcare sectors.
Mehmet Poroy, Türkiye’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, made the statement on Tuesday evening in Abuja during a dinner hosted by the Turkish Embassy to commemorate Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day, observed every July 15.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Poroy stressed that although the coup attempt was suppressed by loyal security forces and Turkish citizens, FETO’s global operations continue, posing a threat to national sovereignty wherever they are found.
“Unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare,” said Poroy.
“We consistently inform our Nigerian friends about the nature and dangers of this organisation, and urge them to remain vigilant and cautious.”
He further stated that many of the institutions affiliated with the Gülen movement, also known as Hizmet, have been taken over by Turkish authorities or friendly entities in other countries. However, he acknowledged that FETO's international network remains largely intact, often disguised as humanitarian aid organizations or interfaith groups.
The event marked the ninth anniversary of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, in which at least 251 people lost their lives. The Turkish government maintains that the failed insurrection was masterminded by Fethullah Gülen, the exiled Islamic scholar who died in the U.S. in October 2024 at age 83. Gülen had lived in Pennsylvania since the late 1990s and denied involvement in the coup.
Türkiye has since formally designated his network as a terrorist organization and launched a global crackdown, resulting in the closure of schools, NGOs, and foundations allegedly tied to FETO. Billions of dollars in assets have been seized or frozen, and hundreds of suspected operatives have been arrested worldwide.
Ambassador Poroy emphasized the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation, citing ongoing investigations and arrests related to FETO across multiple continents.
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 warned.
While Türkiye has called for stronger action against the group in Nigeria, no official statement has been released by the Nigerian government regarding the presence or status of any FETO-linked entities in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several countries and regional blocs, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Pakistan, and Northern Cyprus, have joined Türkiye in designating FETO as a terrorist organisation.
The Turkish Embassy’s latest warning is likely to reignite diplomatic and security discussions between Ankara and Abuja concerning counterterrorism collaboration and the regulation of foreign-linked educational and charitable institutions operating in Nigeria.
FETO, originally founded as the Gülen Movement in the 1950s, presents itself as a religious and educational initiative. However, Turkish authorities allege the group operates as a shadow organization, aimed at infiltrating state structures and overthrowing governments under the guise of service and faith.
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