Turkish government Raises Alarm Over Invasion of ‘Fethullah Terrorist Group’ in Nigeria Disguised as ‘Humanitarian Aid’

Turkish government Raises Alarm Over Invasion of ‘Fethullah Terrorist Group’ in Nigeria Disguised as ‘Humanitarian Aid’

 

 

 

…warns group seeks infiltration through schools, NGOs, healthcare

 

The Turkish government has raised serious concerns over the alleged activities of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) in Nigeria, warning that the group is operating under the guise of humanitarian aid and social services to gain influence.

 

Speaking at a dinner in Abuja on Tuesday night to mark Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day, the Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, cautioned that FETO remains a global threat and has not ceased its operations nearly a decade after the 2016 failed coup attempt in Turkey.

 

The event commemorated the foiling of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt — an incident the Turkish government continues to blame on the FETO network, allegedly orchestrated by U.S.-based Islamic cleric, Fethullah Gülen. The failed uprising claimed over 250 lives and injured thousands.

 

Ambassador Poroy stated that, despite the death of Gülen in October 2024 in the United States, the group still poses a threat worldwide, including in Nigeria.

 

“In several countries, including Nigeria, FETO continues to run its operations under the presence of humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue,” Poroy said.

 

“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 added.

 

 

 

According to Poroy, recent global arrests and investigations confirm that FETO’s network is still active and evolving. The Turkish government has, over the years, mounted an international campaign to dismantle the organisation, which it labels a terrorist group.

 

FETO, also known as the Gülen movement or “Hizmet” (meaning “service” in Turkish), claims to be a peaceful, transnational religious and educational network. However, Turkey accuses the group of using its institutions — such as schools and NGOs — to spread its ideology and undermine host governments.

 

Following the 2016 coup attempt, the Turkish government launched a sweeping crackdown, shutting down thousands of schools and foundations affiliated with the group both in Turkey and abroad, and freezing assets linked to its operations.

 

The Turkish position has received backing from several international bodies and countries. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), organisations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and nations including Pakistan and Northern Cyprus have officially designated FETO as a terrorist organisation.

 

Ambassador Poroy urged Nigerian authorities and citizens to remain vigilant and not be misled by the group’s outward image.

 

Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day is marked annually in memory of those who resisted the 2016 coup, which Ankara insists was a turning point in preserving its democratic institutions.