By John Okeke
The Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Hidayet Bayraktar, has given insights on why Fetullah Gulen Terrorist Organisation (FETO) remains a threat to Turkey and other countries where they carry out their operations.
The ambassador disclosed this in Abuja during the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the thwarted coup attempt of July 15, 2016 carried out by FETO.
According to him,the members of FETO committed lethal acts of terrorism against innocent civilians who took to the streets to defend their democratic institutions.
He said sadly, on that night 251 Turkish citizens lost their lives and more than 2000 people got wounded.
He said the perpetrators of this hideous undertaking actually consisted of the disciples of Fetullah Gulen, the man who lunatically calls himself “Imam of the Universe” and aimed to take control of the Turkish State to reinstitute his regime according to his perverted religious ethos.
According to him, it is impossible to find the appropriate words to describe the brutality and treachery that the conspirators displayed that night, adding” It was the worst act of terror in the history of the Turkish Republic.”
The envoy said,” They killed their comrades in arms and commanders who refused to take part in the attempt. They used fighter jets to bomb the Turkish Parliament, the Presidential Compound, the National Intelligence Headquarters, and Special Forces Headquarters in an effort to subdue the resistance against them.
They even attempted to assassinate the President and the Prime Minister of Turkey. July 15 was an important trial for the strength and perseverance of the Turkish democracy. We are proud that with the will of Turkish people, we have passed this test.Ladies and Gentlemen. Let me say loud and clear.FETO is a mafia-like cultish terror group, with clandestine political aims.“FETO is threat not only to Turkey but also to all countries they still run their operations,” he said.
The ambassador used the occasion to plant trees in the embassy in honour of those who lost their lives during the coup.
“ Today, we gathered together to commemorate their sacrifices. We will plant trees to honour the lives lost. We will inaugurate our “July 15: Victory Day” photo exhibitionto mark their great struggle to protect democracy. And we will watch the movie documentary “The Network”, which analyses the heinous methods of the FETO Terror Group that is being replicated all around the world.”
He thanked the Mininister of FCT and other member of the diplomatic corps who graced the occasion.“Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank(Honourable Minister of FCT H.E. Mohammed Musa Bello and) distinguished members of Diplomatic Corps, who joined us today and showedtheir solidarity with Turkey.”“On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of July 15 heinous coup attempt, I wish God’s Mercy upon those who sacrificed their lives in defendingthe national will of the people and democracy against FETO terrorist organization,” he said.
“Their heroism will not beforgotten,” he added.
