Turkish Envoy Alleges Fethullah Terrorist Network Using Schools, Healthcare to Operate in Nigeria

Mehmet Poroy, the Turkish ambassador-designate to Nigeria, has raised concerns over the continued operations of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETÖ) in Nigeria, alleging that the group is disguising its activities through educational and healthcare institutions.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at a dinner hosted by the Turkish Embassy to mark Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day, Poroy warned that FETÖ remains active in Nigeria despite repeated alerts from the Turkish government.

“Unfortunately, the FETÖ terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare,” he said. “We consistently inform our Nigerian friends about the nature and dangers of this organisation and urge them to remain vigilant and cautious.”

FETÖ, also known as the Gülen movement, was founded by Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen in the 1950s. While it initially gained prominence through educational and social initiatives, the group fell out with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Following a failed 2016 coup attempt in Turkey that left 246 dead and over 2,000 injured, the Turkish government labelled FETÖ a terrorist organisation and launched a global crackdown.

Poroy’s comments echo long-standing concerns from Ankara. In 2021, during a visit to Nigeria, President Erdoğan called for a clampdown on institutions linked to the Gülen movement. Years earlier, Turkey’s then-ambassador, Hakan Çakıl, urged the Nigerian government to shut down 17 schools allegedly tied to the group.

Despite these efforts, Poroy stated that FETÖ continues to embed itself under the guise of humanitarian work, religious dialogue, and service delivery.

“In several countries, including Nigeria, FETÖ continues to pump its operations under the guise of humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue,” he 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 that investigations and arrests tied to FETÖ continue in multiple countries, proving that the network remains a global threat that must be countered through sustained international cooperation.

The Democracy and National Unity Day commemorates the July 15, 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, and the Turkish government often uses the occasion to highlight ongoing threats from groups it deems as national security risks, including FETÖ.