SECURITY agencies have kept mute over the Turkish government’s remark that the Fethullah terrorists are alive and thriving in Nigeria. The Turkish government had warned that members of a terrorist group known as the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) exist in Nigeria and also operate in other countries around the world.

Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, had also said the terrorist group was using schools and health services as a cover for its operations in the country.

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Poroy disclosed this on Tuesday night in Abuja at a dinner organised by the Turkish Embassy to mark the country’s Democracy and National Unity Day.

Attempts by The Guardian to get reactions from concerned agencies met a brick wall, as none were willing to comment on it.

Enquiries sent to spokespersons of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Department of State Services (DSS) and the police high command were not responded to.

However, former Director of DSS, Dennis Amachree, suspects that the Turkish government may be attempting to draw Nigeria into its internal affairs concerning the failed 2016 coup, which it attributes to the Gülen Movement.

Amachree added: “It is surprising to see the Turkish embassy in Nigeria rehashing controversial allegations, first made in 2016, against several Turkish educational institutes and hospitals. These allegations claim that the Nigerian-Turkish International School, Nigerian-Turkish Nile University, and Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja and other parts of the country were part of a broader network of institutions owned by the Fethullah Gülen movement, which Turkey considers a terrorist organisation.

“Nigeria’s intelligence community has been well aware of these allegations and has been monitoring the institutions in question. The fact that these institutions have continued to operate since 1998 suggests that none of the allegations have been substantiated.”

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, hinted that it was simply ‘political’. He noted that the Turkish president was simply demonising his political opposition, as there is no truth in the alarm.

“That same group being branded as terrorists by the Turkish government has successfully run some of the best secondary schools and universities around the globe for many years now. The group also run some groups of schools in Nigeria, which have never been found wanting.” Onwubiko said.

Defence spokesman, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, told The Guardian on the telephone that it was not within their purview to react to such comments, urging our correspondent to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for reactions. (The Guardian)