The Turkish government has raised concerns over the continued presence of members of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in Nigeria and other countries worldwide, calling for heightened vigilance against the group’s activities. The warning was issued by Mehmet Poroy, Turkey’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, during a dinner event in Abuja marking Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day on Tuesday. The annual commemoration honors the defeat of a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, which Ankara alleges was masterminded by FETO operatives.

Ambassador Poroy emphasized that the failed July 15, 2016, revolt—quashed by public resistance against forces attempting to overthrow President Recep Erdoğan’s government—exposed FETO’s threat to national security. The Gülen movement, a religious and social network founded by exiled cleric Fethullah Gülen, is accused of orchestrating the violence, which claimed 251 lives. Despite ongoing global efforts to dismantle the group, Poroy noted FETO maintains a foothold in Nigeria, particularly through educational and healthcare initiatives. “They pose a threat to every nation where they operate,” he stressed, urging Nigerian authorities to remain cautious.

While international collaboration has allowed Turkey to disrupt FETO-linked institutions abroad—including schools transferred to Turkish control—the ambassador warned that the organization’s global networks remain active. Investigations and arrests related to the group continue, he said, underscoring the need for sustained counterterrorism measures. “FETO disguises its operations under humanitarian causes like education and interfaith dialogue,” Poroy cautioned, alleging the group aims to infiltrate host nations’ political systems.

FETO, also known as Hizmet (Service), was founded in the late 1950s and operates across education, healthcare, and civil society sectors. Its leader, Gülen, died in October 2024 in Pennsylvania, where he lived in self-imposed exile after Turkey designated the group a terrorist organization. Ankara has pursued a relentless campaign against FETO since 2016, seizing billions in assets tied to its global network of schools, charities, and businesses.

International bodies such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), along with nations including Pakistan, have also labeled FETO a terrorist entity. Despite the group’s denial of involvement in the coup, Turkey maintains that its transnational activities continue to endanger stability, highlighting education and civil institutions as fronts for clandestine operations. The remarks in Abuja reflect Ankara’s persistent calls for global solidarity in countering what it describes as a persistent security threat.