The Turkish government has once again raised alarm over the activities of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO), warning that the group continues to operate globally—this time under the guise of humanitarian efforts in countries like Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday evening, Turkey’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, made the statement during a commemorative dinner hosted by the Turkish Embassy to mark Democracy and National Unity Day.
The annual event remembers the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which Ankara blames on the now-deceased Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen and his network.
Ambassador Poroy didn’t mince words, stating that the Gülen movement has been rebranding its operations under seemingly benevolent sectors like education, healthcare, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian aid.
He cautioned Nigerian authorities and the international community not to be misled by what he called the “humanitarian appearance” of the group, insisting that FETO remains committed to infiltrating the political and bureaucratic institutions of host countries.
“The fact that new investigations and arrests into the organisation continue to be launched demonstrates the need for this struggle to be pursued with unwavering determination,” Poroy emphasized, echoing Ankara’s long-standing position.
FETO, also known in Turkey as the “Hizmet” (meaning “Service”), has been accused by the Turkish government of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt that led to the deaths of over 250 people. Although the movement promotes itself as a transnational educational and social initiative, Turkey has officially classified it as a terrorist organization.
The group’s founder, Fethullah Gülen, died in October 2024 in Pennsylvania, where he had been living in exile.
Since the attempted coup, Türkiye has continued an aggressive global crackdown on FETO-linked institutions, seizing assets and shutting down schools, foundations, and companies believed to be tied to the movement.
Countries such as Pakistan, Northern Cyprus, and organizations including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have also designated the group as a terrorist entity.
Despite widespread international debate and the group’s denial of any link to terrorism, Turkey insists that FETO remains a global security threat—and Nigeria, according to Ankara, is among the countries where the group is still active.
