The Nigerian government says no FETO terrorist group exists in Nigeria, despite Turkish claims of the group’s activities in education and healthcare sectors

The Federal Government has dismissed claims of a new terrorist organisation operating in Nigeria, following warnings from the Turkish government about the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO).

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Speaking on Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, assured Nigerians that “there is no new terrorist group in Nigeria”, urging the public not to panic.

This follows a statement by Turkey’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, who alleged that FETO is active in Nigeria, particularly in education and healthcare.

He made the claim during a Democracy and National Unity Day dinner hosted by the Turkish Embassy in Abuja.

Poroy stated: “The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates. Unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria.”

He added that Turkey has regularly alerted Nigerian authorities about the alleged dangers posed by the group and called for increased vigilance.

FETO is linked to the late cleric Fethullah Gulen, once a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gulen was accused of masterminding the 2016 failed coup attempt in Turkey, a charge he denied until his death in 2024.

The Erdogan government subsequently labelled his global network of schools and charities a terrorist group.