The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has firmly dismissed assertions by the Turkish Ambassador-designate, Mehmet Poroy, who recently alleged that members of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) are active within Nigeria, particularly under the facade of educational and healthcare institutions. Poroy made these statements during an event in Abuja commemorating Turkey’s Democracy and National Unity Day, warning that FETO posed security risks wherever it was present and urging Nigeria to heighten vigilance.
Responding to these claims, Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, categorically rejected the ambassador’s statements as unofficial and unsupported by Nigerian intelligence. “Information from the person you are talking about, as far as Defence Headquarters is concerned, is an unofficial announcement. Everybody is free to say whatever they want. There is freedom of information,” Major General Kangye stated. He emphasized that Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, will not be distracted by external narratives not aligned with its own national security assessments or interests.
Kangye further highlighted Nigeria’s autonomy in decision-making, especially on sensitive matters of security and intelligence. He underlined the importance of independent assessment, warning against the dangers of adopting unverified foreign reports that could threaten national integrity or sow discord. “Nigeria is an independent sovereign nation that can think and act for itself,” he affirmed.
This public dismissal underscores Nigeria’s determination to protect its own information sovereignty and prevent the spread of potentially divisive or misleading foreign narratives. The military spokesperson also hinted at the broader issue of global information warfare, noting that psychological operations and propaganda are widespread reinforcing the need for vigilance in evaluating security-related claims from external sources.
The stance taken by the Defence Headquarters sends a clear message that decisions regarding security threats will be guided solely by national intelligence, safeguarding Nigeria’s interests above all else.