Turkey's envoy denies espionage activities in Nigeria

By Rafiu Ajakaye, Gokhan Kavak and Felix Tih

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA) - Turkey’s ambassador to Nigeria on Tuesday denied claims that agencies linked to the Turkish government were involved in spying in the African state.

“Turkey cares about its political and economic relations with Nigeria and therefore does not take any action that would harm relations between the two countries,” Hakan Cakil told Anadolu Agency in a telephone interview.

The rebuttal followed allegations reportedly made by the Center for Qur’anic Reciters Nigeria on Feb. 12 that Turkey’s Maarif Foundation and the Presidency of Religious Affairs, or Diyanet, could be used to spread a “culture of intolerance” or “partake in other acts of espionage that may undermine or threaten our national interest.”

Local media cited the group as saying Diyanet had carried out spying on the orders of then Turkish government in Nigeria and 37 other countries.

Cakil said the claims were part of a campaign by the Fetullah Gulen Organization (FETO), which is accused of being behind the July coup attempt in Turkey.

“FETO members attacked President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan by using different methods against the Turkish state and its people and accusing the Maarif Foundation of espionage is one of them,” he said.

Ankara has warned countries about FETO, which has established a network of schools and educational institutes around the world. The Maarif Foundation was established after the coup attempt to take over the administration of overseas FETO-linked schools.