Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has firmly rejected recent comments by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, who alleged that the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) is actively operating within Nigeria.
In a sharp response issued Wednesday, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, dismissed the claim as unfounded and emphasized that Nigeria “can think for itself” and is fully capable of determining what constitutes a national security threat without external pressure.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain apolitical, professional, and guided by the constitution. Allegations such as these are not only unhelpful but risk undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty in handling its internal affairs,” Buba said in a statement from the DHQ in Abuja.
The Turkish envoy had, during a recent media engagement, urged Nigeria to take a tougher stance against FETO, which Ankara designates as a terrorist group linked to the 2016 failed coup attempt in Turkey. Bayraktar insinuated that FETO operatives were using education and business fronts in Nigeria to expand their influence.
However, Nigerian defence authorities expressed concern that such diplomatic remarks could damage bilateral trust and mischaracterize legitimate organizations operating within the country. The DHQ also reiterated its commitment to a rules-based approach to national security.
“The Nigerian military does not take instructions from foreign powers and will not be drawn into foreign political agendas,” the statement concluded.
Observers say the rare public rebuttal signals Nigeria’s insistence on strategic autonomy in its international defence partnerships, especially at a time when global powers are expanding their influence in West Africa’s security landscape.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official diplomatic statement, but sources indicate internal discussions are underway to manage potential diplomatic fallout with Turkey, a key military and trade partner.
This incident underscores growing sensitivities around foreign interference in Nigeria’s counterterrorism narrative and the delicate balance of respecting international partnerships while defending national sovereignt
