Turkey President, Recep Erdogan said Nigeria has been shielding and accommodating terrorists that tried to overthrow him in 2016.
He spoke during a joint press conference with President Muhammadu Buhari when he visited the Nigerian leader in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Erdogan had in 2016 accused allies of renowned cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who own Turkish schools and hospitals across Nigeria, of sponsoring the coup against his governent.
Then, the Turkish envoy in Nigeria, Mr. Hakan Cakil, implored Buhari to close the Turkish schools and hospitals in Nigeria belonging to a group of private Turkish investors who are inspired by the philosophy of the Hizmet movement.
But the request was rejected by the Nigerian government thereby causing issues between the countries.
Meanwhile, in a reconciliatory move, Erdogan promised Buhari that his government would help Nigeria to fight insecurity by sharing intelligence with Nigeria.
He said, “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 orderz 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. The perpetrators of the heinous failed coup of July the 15 FETO are still very active in Nigeria. And we are continually sharing our intelligence with Nigerian interlocutors and authorities.”
The Turkish President stated that he hoped to expand trade volume from the current $2bn to $5bn between Nigeria and his country.
He said he was hopeful that the relations between Nigeria and Turkey would be further developed on the basis of a win-win situation and on the basis of mutual respect.
In his speech, Buhari said he would maintain a good relationship with the Turkish government.