The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has downplayed recent claims made by Turkey’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, regarding the alleged presence of a Turkish-designated terrorist group, Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO), operating within Nigeria under the cover of humanitarian and educational services.
Poroy, speaking during an event commemorating Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day, alleged that elements of FETO had migrated to Nigeria and were running institutions in the education and healthcare sectors activities he claimed posed security threats not just to Turkey but to any country hosting such organisations.
“The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates… particularly in the fields of education and healthcare,” the ambassador had stated.
DHQ: "We Do Not Recognize This as a Verified Threat"
In a swift response on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, dismissed the ambassador’s comments as unofficial and unverified, stating that the Nigerian military does not regard such pronouncements as credible unless they have been corroborated by the country’s own intelligence mechanisms.
“As far as the Defence Headquarters is concerned, this is not an official communication or a recognised security threat. People are free to express their opinions. There is freedom of information,” Kangye stated.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s sovereign right to make independent security assessments, emphasizing that decisions relating to national defence and counter-terrorism will be guided solely by the country's own intelligence and interests not foreign pressure or unverified allegations.
“Nigeria is an independent and sovereign country that can think and act for itself. We cannot blindly adopt the views of other nations about our internal affairs,” he stressed.
Nigeria’s Security Intelligence Takes Precedence
Kangye underscored the role of Nigeria’s security architecture, which includes the military, intelligence services, and law enforcement agencies, in maintaining vigilance and making informed judgments on potential threats within its territory.
“Nigeria has a well-established intelligence network. We do not make decisions based on conjecture or unconfirmed reports from foreign diplomats. Our military follows a code of conduct and strategic guidelines rooted in national interest,” he explained.
He also warned that such statements by foreign envoys may be influenced by political motives or propaganda and urged Nigerians not to be swayed by external narratives that could distort public understanding or manipulate policy direction.
“There are propagandists all over the world. Psychological warfare is real. That is why vigilance and critical analysis are essential in today’s global landscape,” Kangye cautioned.
Upholding Diplomatic Decorum and National Integrity
While acknowledging Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with Turkey and other international partners, the Defence Headquarters made it clear that foreign concerns particularly those expressed outside formal diplomatic channels would not dictate national security responses.
The military assured the public that Nigeria remains in full control of its internal security, and all suspected threats are thoroughly investigated by relevant national authorities before any action is taken.
“We take our national security seriously. Any credible threat, regardless of its origin, is assessed and acted upon through the appropriate structures. But we do not rely on hearsay or external alarmism,” Kangye concluded.
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