The Turkish government has expressed renewed concern over the continued presence and activities of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) in Nigeria, warning that the group poses a serious threat to national and international security.
Speaking at a dinner in Abuja on Tuesday night to commemorate Türkiye’s Democracy and National Unity Day, Türkiye’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, highlighted the enduring influence of FETO, which Ankara holds responsible for the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016.
The annual event marks the resistance of Turkish citizens and loyal security forces who thwarted the coup, which left over 250 people dead.
The Turkish government blames the uprising on the FETO network, led by the late Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen, who died in exile in the U.S. in October 2024.
Ambassador Poroy warned that FETO continues to operate globally under the guise of humanitarian, educational, and interfaith initiatives.
“Unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its presence in Nigeria, particularly in the education and healthcare sectors,” Poroy said.
“We have consistently engaged with Nigerian authorities, alerting them to the group’s true nature and urging vigilance.”
He added that FETO poses a threat to any country where it operates, aiming to infiltrate political and bureaucratic structures through deceptive means.
Poroy noted that the Turkish government, with support from international partners, has dismantled numerous FETO-linked institutions across several countries.
Many of these organisations, including schools and foundations, have since been brought under the control of the Turkish government and its affiliated agencies.
The Gülen movement, also known as “Hizmet” (Service), was established in the 1950s and grew into a global network before falling out with the Turkish state. While the group has denied involvement in the 2016 coup and rejects the terrorism label, Türkiye continues to regard it as a terrorist organisation.
In the aftermath of the coup attempt, Ankara launched a global crackdown on FETO-linked entities, freezing assets and shutting down schools and businesses tied to the network.
Several countries and international organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Pakistan, and Northern Cyprus, have officially recognised FETO as a terrorist group.
