Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, Hakan Cakil, has called on the Federal Government to close 17 Turkish schools in Nigeria over alleged links with a movement his government says was involved in the July 15 failed coup attempt in Turkey.

The ambassador, who made the call when the vice chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Shehu Sani, paid him a courtesy visit, said the Turkish Government had nothing to do with the schools.

According to the ambassador, investigations by the Turkish government showed that a movement led by US-based Fethullah Gulen was responsible for the failed coup attempt, which claimed over 200 lives.

He said the Turkish government was dissociating itself from any school bearing the country’s name in Nigeria, adding that while the country had schools in other countries, it had none in Nigeria.

Also, I have sent a letter to Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs Minister) and Mr Abba Kyari (Chief of Staff to the President) about this subject and requested their support for the closure of the schools.

“I will also send letters to the Chairmen of Committees on Foreign Affairs in the National Assembly, as well as the Senate Majority Leader over the issue and I am going to enclose some documents in English on how the group members are engaged in the army, police and the Judiciary.

Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sani, said Turkey had the legitimate right to be concerned about its security in view of the failed coup attempt.

He, however, urged the Turkish government to operate within the ambits of the law in bringing those responsible for the incidence to book.