Abuja, Nigeria – Turkey’s newly appointed ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, has issued a stark warning regarding the presence of a terrorist group known as the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which he said continues to operate in Nigeria, particularly in the sectors of education and healthcare.
Speaking at a dinner organised by the Turkish Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday night to commemorate Türkiye’s Democracy and National Unity Day, Poroy said that the terrorist group posed a significant national threat to every country in which it operates, including Nigeria.
The annual ceremony marks the anniversary of the failed July 15, 2016 coup in Türkiye, which the Turkish government attributes to the FETO group, allegedly led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gülen. The attempt was reportedly thwarted by widespread civilian and military resistance in support of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration.
“The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates,” Poroy said, cautioning that “unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare.”
The ambassador added that his government continues to work closely with international allies to identify and dismantle FETO-linked structures, many of which operate under the guise of civil institutions such as schools and hospitals.
Poroy urged Nigerian authorities and the general public to remain vigilant, noting that Türkiye has already taken over many such institutions abroad and is committed to halting the global spread of the movement’s influence.
“They are still being captured and arrested today,” he said. “We consistently inform our Nigerian friends about the nature and dangers of this organisation, and urge them to remain vigilant and cautious.”
According to Poroy, while significant progress has been made through diplomatic collaboration, many of the group’s international networks remain intact. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s intention to continue pursuing FETO operatives wherever they are found.
The Turkish envoy’s comments underscore ongoing diplomatic efforts by Ankara to eliminate perceived threats associated with the Gülen movement. Turkish authorities have long accused the organisation of infiltrating national institutions and attempting to undermine democratic governance, both within Türkiye and globally.
The presence of FETO-linked institutions in Nigeria has previously been a point of diplomatic contention, with Turkish authorities lobbying for their closure and transfer to the state-affiliated Maarif Foundation.
As Nigeria and Turkey continue to strengthen bilateral relations, security cooperation and mutual concerns over terrorism remain a top priority on the diplomatic agenda.
