The Turkish government has issued a renewed warning about the continued activities of what it designates as the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) in Nigeria, expressing concerns that the group poses a significant threat to national security.
Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, delivered the warning on Tuesday night, July 15, 2025, during a dinner hosted by the Turkish Embassy in Abuja to commemorate Türkiye’s Democracy and National Unity Day.
The event marked the ninth anniversary of the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt in Türkiye, which the Turkish government attributes to the FETO network allegedly orchestrated by the late Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen.
Poroy emphasized that despite the coup’s failure through collective resistance from Turkish citizens and loyal security forces, the FETO threat remains active both domestically and internationally. “They are still being captured and arrested today. The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates,” he stated.
The ambassador specifically highlighted Nigeria as a country where FETO maintains active operations, particularly in education and healthcare sectors. “Unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare. We consistently inform our Nigerian friends about the nature and dangers of this organisation, and urge them to remain vigilant and cautious,” Poroy said.
Turkish authorities have been working with international partners to dismantle FETO-linked networks and institutions across various countries. The envoy revealed that several schools and affiliated institutions previously controlled by the group have been taken over by the Turkish government and its agencies abroad.
Despite these successful operations, Poroy warned that FETO continues operating under the guise of humanitarian, educational, and interfaith initiatives. “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 cautioned.
The Gülen movement, also known as Hizmet (Service) in Turkish, was a global network originally established in the 1950s under the leadership of Fethullah Gülen. The Turkish Islamic cleric died in exile in Pennsylvania, United States, in October 2024 at the age of 83.
The Turkish government officially designates the group as a terrorist organisation, holding it responsible for the 2016 coup attempt that resulted in at least 251 deaths. Following the failed coup, Türkiye launched an extensive global crackdown on FETO-linked entities, freezing or seizing assets of associated schools, businesses, foundations, and individuals.
The movement has consistently denied involvement in the coup attempt and rejects the terrorism designation. However, several international bodies have formally recognized FETO as a terrorist organisation, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Pakistan, and Northern Cyprus.
The Turkish government’s continued focus on FETO activities abroad reflects its sustained efforts to combat what it views as an ongoing security threat, nearly a decade after the failed coup attempt that shook the nation.
