The Defence Headquarters has dismissed claims by the Turkish government that elements of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) are operating in Nigeria, asserting that the country remains a sovereign state capable of making independent security decisions.
Speaking at a military briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, emphasized that the Nigerian Armed Forces will not be swayed by unofficial statements or unverified foreign intelligence. “Nigeria is an independent sovereign nation that can think and act for itself,” Kangye stated.
The comments follow remarks by the Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, who at an event in Abuja alleged that FETO maintains operations in Nigeria under the guise of educational and healthcare institutions. Poroy urged Nigerian authorities to be “vigilant and cautious.”
In response, Kangye clarified that the Defence Headquarters considers Poroy’s remarks unofficial and emphasized that Nigeria makes decisions based on its own intelligence and national interest. “We cannot take what other people are saying about Nigeria and accept it without our own independent assessment,” he said.
He also warned against the influence of foreign propaganda and psychological operations, noting that such narratives may be part of broader strategic tactics. While acknowledging Nigeria’s global alliances, Kangye reaffirmed the country’s commitment to combating terrorism on its own terms and under its own guidelines.
