Nigeria dismisses Turkish claims of FETO terrorist activity on its soil

Summary

• Nigerian Defence Headquarters confirms there is no verified evidence of a terror group named “Fethulla” or “FETO” operating in the country
• Turkish envoy had alleged that the Gülen movement, labelled as FETO by Ankara, operates under educational and healthcare fronts in Nigeria
• No international body, including the US or UN, recognises the Gülen movement as a terrorist organisation
• Analysts describe Turkey’s claims as politically motivated and lacking credible global support

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed recent claims made by the Turkish government alleging the presence of a terrorist organisation called the “Fethullah Terrorist Organisation” (FETO) in Nigeria, stating there is no verified evidence of such a group operating within the country.

Speaking at a press briefing on 17 July 2025, Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, reaffirmed Nigeria’s sovereign right to assess and address its own security challenges. He noted that the allegations made by the Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, were unofficial and unsubstantiated.

The controversy arose following Ambassador Poroy’s remarks during a speech in Abuja, where he asserted that FETO maintains a network in Nigeria, allegedly hiding behind education and healthcare institutions. He called on Nigerian authorities to be vigilant and cited what he described as the group’s subversive activities.

However, FETO is a term coined by the Turkish government to describe the movement associated with Fethullah Gülen, a US-based cleric who was once an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan but became a target following the failed 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. Ankara accuses Gülen’s network of orchestrating the coup and has designated the movement a terrorist organisation.

Despite this, no major international body, including the United States, the United Nations, or the European Union, recognises FETO as a terrorist entity. The US State Department has criticised Turkey for detaining individuals, including American citizens, over alleged FETO links, often without substantial evidence.

Globally, the Gülen movement is primarily known for promoting education, interfaith dialogue, and moderate Islamic values. It operates schools, charities, and cultural centres in several countries, including Nigeria, where its activities have generally been seen as peaceful and educational.

Reports referring to a group named “Fethulla” are believed to be misinterpretations or misspellings of “FETO.” A review of credible sources, such as the US State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations and the Global Terrorism Database, shows no listing for a group by that name.

Analysts argue that Turkey’s stance appears driven more by internal political motivations than evidence-based counterterrorism concerns. The lack of international consensus and Nigeria’s formal dismissal of the claims suggest the allegations should be viewed with caution.

As of press time, there is no confirmed terrorist activity linked to the so-called “Fethullah Terrorist Organisation” in Nigeria. Authorities urge a careful, evidence-based approach to claims of terrorism and maintain that national security assessments remain grounded in verified intelligence.