Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on Wednesday, raised alarm that Nigeria has been infiltrated by some members of a terrorist organisation named Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) based in Turkey.
The Turkish president revealed that he received intelligence reports that members of FETO, a terrorist organisation responsible for the deadly coup d’etat of July 2016 in Turkey, are currently residing in Nigeria.
President Erdogan made this disclosure on Wednesday while speaking at a joint press conference with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.
In his address, Erdogan called on the Nigerian government to join forces with his government to combat terrorism.
In his words, “Distinguished members of the press, as Turkey, we have been closely monitoring the developments unfolding in Nigeria, our brotherly and friendly nation.
“So, in order to cooperate further in the fields of military, defense, and security, we are doing everything that will be available.
“As we’re probably aware of the fact that Turkey has been fighting against terrorist organisations for many decades, such as the PKK, PYD, FETO, DASH and other terrorist organisations.
“The perpetrator of the heinous failed coup of July the 15th, FETO, is still illegally active in Nigeria, and we are continuously sharing our intelligence with the Nigerian interlocutors and authorities.
“I hope and pray that our Nigerian brothers will forge a closer solidarity in this field with us, the Republic of Turkey.
Recall that Turkey witnessed one of the bloodiest coup attempt in its political history in 2016, when a section of the Turkish military launched a coordinated operation in several major cities to topple Erdogan. Although the coup was successfully foiled, 241 people were killed and 2,194 others were injured, according to reports at the time.
