Silence From Nigerian Security Agencies As Turkey Raises Alarm Over Alleged Terror Network
Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies have remained tight-lipped following a fresh warning from the Turkish government that members of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) are active and thriving in the country.
The alarm was raised by Turkey’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, during a dinner in Abuja to commemorate Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day. Poroy alleged that FETO blamed for the failed 2016 coup in Turkey is operating in Nigeria under the guise of educational and health services.
Despite attempts to obtain official reactions, none of the relevant agencies including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Defence Headquarters, and the Nigeria Police responded to enquiries.
Former DSS Director, Dennis Amachree, however, cautioned against taking the claims at face value.
He suggested the Turkish government may be attempting to drag Nigeria into its internal political struggles with the Gülen Movement, which Ankara designates as a terror group.
“It’s surprising to see these 2016 allegations resurface,” Amachree noted, pointing to institutions like the Nigerian-Turkish International School, Nile University, and Nizamiye Hospital. “These institutions have been operating since 1998 without evidence of wrongdoing. Nigeria’s intelligence community has always been aware of the claims and is monitoring the situation.”
Human rights advocate Emmanuel Onwubiko also dismissed the claims as political propaganda. “The Turkish president is simply targeting his political opposition.
These institutions have run some of the best schools globally including in Nigeria without a single credible incident of terrorism.”
Meanwhile, Defence spokesperson Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau told our correspondent that the matter falls outside the military’s purview and advised that any official position should come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As the dust settles, questions remain over the motivation behind Turkey’s renewed warning and why Nigeria’s security leadership appears unwilling to speak on the matter.
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