Turkish president, Mr. Recep Erdogan, has said that persons who attempted to remove him through a putsch on July 15, 2016 are still active in Nigeria.
Erdogan said this on Wednesday at a joint press conference with President Muhammadu Buhari during his two-day official visit to Nigeria.
Recall that Erdogan had in 2016 accused allies of renowned cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who owns Turkish schools and hospitals across Nigeria, of sponsoring the coup.
A statement by the presidency quoted the Turkish leader as saying: “The perpetrators of the heinous failed coup of July the 15th FETO are still very active in Nigeria.
“And we are continuously sharing our intelligence with Nigerian interlocutors and authorities.”
He said the Turkish government “hopes and pray” that the relations between the two nations would be further developed on the basis of a win-win situation and on the basis of mutual respect.
He said his government would share intelligence with Nigerian authorities.
“As Turkey, we have been closely monitoring the development in Nigeria, our brotherly and friendly nation.
“The terrorist organisations, the armed gangs and the marine vendors are continuously active in Nigeria and the Nigerian authorities are continuously fighting them.
“In order to cooperate further in the field of military operations, defence and security, we are doing everything that will be available. We are ready to share our capabilities, every extending capacity as Turkey with Nigeria, especially in the field of defence, industry and security which are being praised by the globe.
“The sensitivity we show in fighting terrorism, I hope will be reciprocated by our Nigerian brothers and sister and our counterparts,” he added.
On trade relations, Erdogan said he hoped to expand trade volume from the current $2 billion to $5 billion between Nigeria and his country.
Responding, Buhari was quoted as saying that he signed eight major agreements/memoranda of understanding on several key sectors including energy, defense industry, mining and hydrocarbons among others.
