FG Rejects Turkish Allegation of New Terror Group Operating in Nigeria
Story written by okafor joseh July 17, 2025
The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly dismissed claims by the Turkish government that a new terrorist group is operating within the country.
This rebuttal follows a recent warning by Turkey regarding the alleged presence of members of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) in Nigeria. The Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, had raised concerns about the group during a dinner event in Abuja organized by the Turkish Embassy to mark Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day.
Poroy claimed that FETO, a group associated with the late Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, has been using educational and healthcare institutions in Nigeria as fronts for its operations.
“The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates,” Poroy said. “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.”
However, in response to these assertions, the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, told The PUNCH that there is no evidence of any new terrorist group operating within Nigerian territory.
“There is no new terrorist group in Nigeria. There’s no need to panic,” he assured.
FETO is reportedly linked to Fethullah Gulen, a former ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gulen was accused of masterminding a failed coup attempt in Turkey in 2016. Although he denied any involvement, the Turkish government later designated his global network—spanning schools, charities, and non-governmental organizations—as a terrorist organisation. Gulen died in 2024 at the age of 83.
While Gulen-affiliated institutions are known to exist in over 160 countries, including Nigeria, there has been no verified evidence or official confirmation tying these institutions to terrorism in Nigeria.
The Federal Government’s clarification aims to reassure the public and dispel fears amid growing international claims.
