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Tag: Turkish

  • ‘Turkish investors should explore Nigeria’s $255b market for industrial, business expansion’

    ‘Turkish investors should explore Nigeria’s $255b market for industrial, business expansion’

    The Chairman of the Nigeria–Türkiye Business Council (NTBC), Dele Oye, has urged Turkish investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s estimated $255 billion market size to expand their industrial footprint.

    Oye made the call while speaking at the Türkiye–Nigeria Business Council Business Summit held at the Marriott Hotel in Ankara, where he highlighted Nigeria’s demographic strength, expanding consumer base and the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    Nigeria is one of Africa’s most strategic investment destinations, with a gross domestic product estimated at about $200 billion and a stock market capitalisation of approximately $54 billion, providing a strong foundation for long-term capital formation and industrial expansion.

    Speaking at the investment summit, Oye further charged the investors to position early to benefit from the country’s projected $1 trillion economy.

    The event was held on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the Republic of Türkiye. It is aimed at strengthening the existing cordial relations between the two countries and exploring further areas of cooperation in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.

    Oye, who’s immediate past President of NACCIMA, said Nigeria’s large and youthful population, projected to become the third largest globally by 2050, presents a compelling demand base for manufacturing, consumer goods, energy, housing and services, while AfCFTA provides duty-free access to markets across the continent.

    Read Also: First Lady, Ooni of Ife launch ‘Dream Centre’ to mentor young Nigerians

    According to him, “The relationship between Nigeria and Türkiye is built on a foundation of mutual respect that dates back to Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Research indicates that this partnership has evolved from basic diplomatic recognition into a robust multi-sectoral collaboration.

    Over the decades, both nations have navigated the challenges of the global political economy, consistently finding common ground in their aspirations for South-South cooperation. This evolution is characterized by a shift from a traditional land-power focus to a more dynamic, maritime, and globally oriented economic strategy.

    “Significant milestones have marked the progress of our bilateral ties. The 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye in 2023 served as a critical juncture, reflecting a renewed commitment to expanding Turkish influence and investment in West Africa. The establishment of various Bilateral Trade Agreements (BTAs) and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the visit of President Tinubu to Turkiye and the signing of Various Agreements on Cooperation in the Field of Diaspora Policy; Agreement on Defence Cooperation; Joint Declaration Establishing the Economy and Trade Joint Committee; and Agreement in the Field of Halal Quality Infrastructure.

    “Others include Cooperation in the Field of Higher Education; Cooperation in the Field of Media and Communication; Cooperation in the Field of Education; Cooperation Between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy Academy, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs Academy; and Cooperation Between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Social services and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of women Affairs and Social Development. These agreements and MOU’s will provid the necessary legal framework for Turkish businesses to operate with confidence in the Nigerian market. These agreements will facilitate a steady increase in trade volume, which has grown significantly as Turkish exporters increasingly view Nigeria as a primary gateway to the African continent.

    “Beyond the balance sheets, the strength of our economic ties rests on a foundation of mutual trust and cultural exchange. International development cooperation has played a critical role in this regard, with Turkish institutions providing technical assistance and educational support that have enhanced deep interpersonal connections. This “soft power” approach has created a business environment where Turkish investors are not seen as outsiders, but as partners in progress. This cultural resonance is a competitive advantage that simplifies negotiations and facilitates long-term collaborative ventures.”

    He further noted, “Nigeria is currently undergoing a period of profound structural transformation. The recent implementation of macroeconomic reforms, including the unification of the foreign exchange market and the removal of fuel subsidies, represents a decisive move toward market transparency. While these adjustments initially introduced short-term volatility, current data shows that these reforms are laying the groundwork for a more predictable and efficient regulatory environment, which is vital for long-term capital planning.

    “The demographic profile of Nigeria presents one of the most compelling investment cases globally. By 2050, Nigeria is projected to be the third most populous nation in the world, offering a vast and expanding consumer market. This burgeoning population, characterized by rapid urbanization and an emerging middle class, creates a massive demand for consumer goods, housing, and services. For Turkish companies in sectors such as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), textiles, and home appliances, this represents a unique “frontier market” opportunity where early movers can secure significant market share.

    “To support this growth, the Nigerian government has prioritized strategic infrastructure projects. The development of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and various Special Economic Zones (SEZs) has created “islands of efficiency” designed to facilitate manufacturing and export. These zones offer significant incentives, including tax holidays and streamlined customs procedures, making them ideal locations for Turkish manufacturing firms. Furthermore, investments in energy and rail networks are addressing the historical infrastructure deficit, thereby reducing the cost of doing business and improving supply chain reliability.4. The Role of the Nigeria Turkiye Business Council (NTBC).

    “The NTBC serves as the primary institutional bridge between our two business communities. We facilitate high-level B2B connections, ensuring that Turkish technical expertise is matched with credible Nigerian partners. By organizing trade missions and investment forums, the Council provides a structured environment where entrepreneurs can explore synergies and initiate joint ventures. Our role is to transform high-level diplomatic goodwill into concrete commercial contracts.”

    Oye, who is also the immediate past Chairman of OPSN, stated, “The NTBC acts as a vocal advocate for the interests of Turkish investors within the Nigerian policy space. We work closely with government agencies to ensure that the concerns of foreign capital are addressed in the formulation of new regulations. By providing our members with up-to-date information on legislative changes, we enable them to navigate the Nigerian regulatory landscape with greater agility and foresight. This advocacy is crucial for maintaining a business-friendly environment that encourages sustained investment.

    “For many Turkish firms, the perceived risks of entering the Nigerian market can be a barrier to entry. The NTBC addresses this by providing comprehensive support services, including market entry strategies and thorough due diligence on local partners. In the event of commercial disagreements, the Council offers mediation and dispute resolution services, providing an additional layer of institutional security for foreign investors. We are committed to ensuring that every Turkish enterprise in Nigeria has the support it needs to thrive.

    “Nigeria’s strategic importance is amplified by its leading role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). As the continent’s largest economy, Nigeria serves as the natural gateway to the West African region and beyond.

    “Turkish firms that establish a manufacturing presence in Nigeria can leverage the AfCFTA to export duty-free to a market of 1.3 billion people . This regional hub status provides a comparative advantage that few other markets can match, positioning Nigeria as a central node in the global supply chain.

    “There is a natural alignment between Turkish industrial capabilities and Nigeria’s developmental needs. Turkish expertise in construction, energy, and manufacturing is particularly well-suited to the Nigerian context, where there is a high demand for highquality yet cost-effective solutions. Success stories of companies like Hayat demonstrate that the “Turkish Model”—characterized by local production and knowledge transfer—is highly effective in the Nigerian market. By investing in local talent and infrastructure, Turkish firms build a “social license to operate” that ensures long-term sustainability.”

  • Turkey orders detention of 133 workers in post-coup probe

    Turkey orders detention of 133 workers in post-coup probe

    Turkish authorities have issued detention warrants for 133 people working in the finance and labour ministries, the state-run Anadolu news agency said on Thursday.

    The detention, according to Anadolu, was part of a widening crackdown  by the government following the 2016 failed coup attempt.

    The suspects were detained for allegedly using ByLock, an encrypted messaging app which the government said was used by the network of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Ankara of orchestrating July abortive coup.

    Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, denies involvement.

    Anadolu said that 101 of the suspects were from the Finance Ministry and 32 from the Labour Ministry.

    It said that two of the suspects from each ministry were active workers.

    Since then, more than 50,000 people have been jailed pending trial over links to Gulen, while 150,000 people have been sacked or suspended from jobs in the public and private sectors.

    Rights groups and some of Turkey’s Western allies have voiced concern about the crackdown, fearing the government is using the coup as a pretext to quash dissent.

    The government says only such a purge could neutralise the threat represented by Gulen’s network, which it says deeply infiltrated institutions such as the army, schools and courts.

    In a latest development, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted by media as saying that Turkey, Iran and Iraq will jointly decide on closing the flow of oil from northern Iraq.

    That was a retaliatory move after the Kurdish region voted for independence.

    Erdogan while speaking to Anadolu and other media including broadcasters NTV and CNN Turk on his return flight from a one-day trip to Iran, criticised the inclusion of the city of Kirkuk in the referendum.

    He said that Kurds had no legitimacy there.

    Iran and Turkey have already threatened to join Baghdad in imposing economic sanctions on Iraqi Kurdistan and have launched joint military exercises with Iraqi troops on their borders after northern Iraq’s independence referendum last month.

    In September, Russian oil major Rosneft had clinched a gas pipeline deal in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan to help it become a major exporter of gas to Turkey and Europe.

    The pipeline will be constructed in 2019 and exports will begin in 2020.

    NAN

  • Dozens detained as May Day marches turn violent in Istanbul

    Dozens were detained by police in Istanbul on Monday after clashes broke out between demonstrators and authorities during May Day protests in the Turkish metropolis, a report said.

    It said that police deployed tear gas in the Mecediyekoy district of the city after clashes with protesters who were trying to reach Taksim Square, which was the centre of widespread anti-government protests in 2013.

    About 70 people were separately detained in the city’s Besiktas district.

    May Day demonstrations at Taksim Square have been banned in recent years, although unions with ties to the government were allowed to appear there to make short position statements.

    The Anadolu news agency reported that more than 30,000 members of the security forces were guarding the square.

    Thousands of union members in opposition to the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with other protesters – gathered in the district of Bakirkoy, where a protest had been approved by officials.

    Ever since an attempted coup in July, thousands of people have been detained in Turkey or removed from their jobs on allegations of working to destabilise the government.

  • Police rescue two kidnapped Turkish nationals in Akwa Ibom

    •Whereabouts of abducted polytechnic founder remain unknown

    Akwa Ibom State Police Command yesterday said it had rescued the two Turkish Nationals abducted by unknown gunmen in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

    The two expatriates, who worked with a construction firm, VKS Nigeria Construction Limited, were abducted at their hotel in Eket on Sunday, April 9.

    The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Don Awunah, confirmed the release of the expatriates to newsmen during a briefing at the police headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, the state capital. Awunah said five suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnap of the two Turkish nationals.

    The rescue of the expatriates, CP Awunah said, was through the deployment of technical platform and skillful professional negotiation. He said: “The two kidnapped Turkish Nationals were kidnapped and taken to the creeks of Calabar/Oron waterways. Undoubtedly, kidnap for ransom threatened Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Akwa Ibom state.

    “Following sustained Police activities in the waterways, deployment of technical platform, cultivation of actionable intelligence and skillful professional negotiation, the two Turkish gentlemen were released on April 19, 2017. “The victims of crime have been reunited with their colleagues after medical assessment. Five suspects have been arrested and further investigation is ongoing.”

    On the abduction of the proprietor of Sure Polytechnic, Dr Idongesit Udom, the police boss said the command was still on it. CP Awunah said: “On the kidnap of the Sure Polytechnic Proprietor in Ukanafun Local Government Area, we are on it. In any scenario of a case of kidnap for ransom, our primary objective is that we rescue or release the person before we now go after the criminals. “Of course, they (kidnappers) made all kinds of outrageous demand. We can assure you that soon or later he will be release like others.”

    On the murder of Ukanafun Local Government Secretary, Mr. Ime Atakpa, the police boss said the command would unravel those behind the dastardly act. His words: “I was at the scene of crime with the governor of the state. We have put in place special team on special assignment to unravel the circumstance surrounding the murder. Not only that, we are also working on community intelligence.

  • Police confirm abduction of two Turkish Construction workers in Akwa Ibom

    The Police in Akwa Ibom says two Turkish construction workers were expatriates abducted by gunmen in their hotel rooms at Eket, Eket Local Government of Akwa Ibom on Sunday.

    Mr Chukwu Okechukwu, an ASP, and public relations officer of the command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Monday that the Turkish nationals worked for BKS Construction Company in Onna Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that they were seized at Airstrip Hotel in Eket by the gunmen.

    “ The state police command is working tirelessly to rescue the expatriates. The Commissioner of police has mobilised the anti-kidnapping unit and a special anti-crime unit to ensure that they are freed unhurt,” he said.

    The police spokesman said at the time of their abduction, their identities, nationalities and work place were unknown.

    He said no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction and no ransom demand made.

  • Turkish school: Arrested kidnappers behind monarch, landlords’ abductions

    Two suspected masterminds of the kidnapping of pupils and staff members of the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges on have allegedly confessed to being behind the recent abductions of the monarch of Iba in Lagos and some landlords in Isheri, Lagos.

    The police said ringleaders Philip Kakadu, alias General Kakadu, and Romeo Council, alias Raw, were apprehended on Monday in Warri, Delta State, by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abba Kyari.

    A police source said Kakadu, 29, from Egbema and his gang member, Raw, 40, from Bomadi Local Government in Delta State, were arrested in the state capital Warri.

    Other suspects were also said to be undergoing screening in connection with the abduction.

    The police said General Kakadu introduced bank robbery and kidnappings to pipeline vandals and that they were behind many kidnappings and bank robberies in Lagos, Ogun and the South South states

    “General Kakadu has confessed he was responsible for the Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac and Agbara bank robbery in Lagos. He has also confessed he was responsible for the kidnapping of Oniba of Iba, Isheri landlords and many others in Ogun State.

    “He also mentioned the names of five of his boys who participated in the Turkish International School kidnap. He has 25 AK 47 rifles. With their arrest, we believe their boys holding the victims in the creeks would surrender,” the source said.

    Gunmen stormed the school on Friday night and abducted 10 students and staff. They include a Turkish Mathematics teacher identified as Miss Deria; the House mistress, Miss Rashida Ibrahim and the cook identified as Miss Shekura.

    Others were female students, Rebecca Agu in Senior Secondary School (SSS) 2 Nwosu Teslie in Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1, Zainab Olatubosun in JSS 2, Rodia Amina and Aderitan Alnad, both scholarship students of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB and two unnamed persons.

    It was learnt on Monday that the kidnappers had reduced their demand of N1.2 billion ransom to N750 million.

    Relatives of the Nigerian victims were requested to pay N50 million each, while N200 million was demanded as ransom for that of the Turkish Mathematics teacher, Miss Deria.

  • Keeping faith with Nigerian Turkish schools

    The terrorism allegations against the Nigerian Turkish schools in the aftermath of the failed July 15 coup in Turkey gave parents, teachers and students the goose pimples. But they defended the schools, which have been in operation in Nigeria since 1998.

    The July 15 coup in Turkey shocked the world.  Nigeria, with a large Turkish presence, felt the heat of the putsch.

    In the wake of the crisis, the Turkish government revoked the licence of 15,000 teachers and shut 15 universities run by Fetullah Gulen, who was accused of sponsoring the coup.

    On July 29 the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hakan Cakil, called on the Federal Government to close  the Nigerian-Turkish schools because of the alleged links of their founders to the failed coup.

    There are 17 such schools in Nigeria, operated by the First Surat Group of Companies. The Nigerian-Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) and pre-Nursery/Primary schools started in 1998 in Abuja.  They have since spread to Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Kaduna and Yobe states.  The Nigerian-Turkish Nile University (NTNU) started in 2009 in Abuja.

    With a combined enrolment of about 5,000 and a workforce of about 2,000 Nigerians, the news caused some concerns among parents, who queried the connection between the coup plotters and the schools in Nigeria.  Many of them described the decision as political and inimical to their wards’ development.  They had no suspicion of the allegations about the running of the schools.

    A member of the Parent-Teacher  Association (PTA) at NTIC, Kano, who pleaded anonymity, said the allegations were not enough to make her withdraw her two children from the school as long as the government does not shut them.

    “I see no reason I should suddenly withdraw my wards from NTIC simply because of an unsubstantiated allegation that owners of the school are involved in a coup in Turkey. For goodness sake, this is Nigeria and not Turkey. So, if they have a political problem there, they should find better ways of settling it and not to distort the academic curriculum of Nigerians who are seeking for knowledge in NTIC.  I believe the Nigerian government will take a wise decision on this matter,” she said.

    Another parent, Mr Segun Ayobami, who has a ward in JSS2 in NTIC, Kaduna, said parents liked the school because of its quality, urging the government to resolve the issue with Turkey.

    “Many of us just like the school because of their academic calendar in terms of time-table and curriculum for the students.  The coup we are talking about has not been established to have been carried out by staff of the Turkish Schools here in Nigeria. The Nigerian government needs to weigh the consequence of such action, especially on the employment aspect and see how the two countries can find a common ground to look at diplomatic means of addressing the challenge,” he said.

    Another parent who has children at NTIC, Kaduna, Mrs. Hajara Mohammed, said the politics in far away Turkey should not be allowed to affect children’s education in Nigeria.

    “My own fear is that, if the school is closed, where do we start from? It would affect our children education and even psychologically, because they would have to change schools.

    “For now, we have not resolved to withdraw our children from the school and my prayer is that we will not have any reason to do so. In My own case, I have two kids there and am comfortable with their performance so far.

    “As for the alleged involvement in the failed coup, the Turkish government should adopt a means of prosecuting whoever is found wanting, but should not allow their politics affect our own children education in Nigeria,” she said.

    A Nigerian, who is a senior staff member in NTIC, Kano (name withheld), said he had not noticed anything untoward about the school’s operations since he joined at its inception.

    “I have not observed any external business like politics. All the school management is concerned about is how best they can impact knowledge, discipline and morality on the students; so to me, the call for the closure of the school remains unnecessary and it is not in the interest of Nigeria, Turkey and students,” he said.

    There were concerns that the announcement may affect enrolment in the new session.  In the aftermath of the announcement, The Nation gathered that parents refused to pay fees and hostel accommodation at the NTNU because of fears over the fate of the schools.

    So far, Mr Olayinka Aderoju, Vice Principal, NTIC, Mowe in Ogun State, said the downturn in the economy affected enrolment more than the coup claims.  He added that parents asked questions, following the announcement and their fears were allayed.

    “We noticed the drop in admission rate at the beginning of the year, but the comment added to the already worrisome situation. But we have a firm belief that the school would weather the storm.

    “Down South, the parents are learned and informed so they make their school decisions based on standard of the school, conducive environment, among others.  The situation has had some effect on the school, both positive and negative – positive in the sense that people who didn’t know about NTIC got to learn about its existence – negative in the sense that people got suspicious and they wanted to know if it was true.  But we thank God that even our parents have been supportive. Both the chirstian and Muslim parents,” said Aderoju, who joined the school in 2004.

    Aderoju added that it was not only Nigeria that was asked to close schools, saying the same request was made to Germany, which declined to do so based on lack of evidence.

    “The Turkish government made a similar request in Germany and they refused due to lack of evidence,” he said.

    School Administrator Mr Hafeez Idowu said the college was preparing for the new session.

    “Our school is in session, everything is fine. In fact, we are holding our teachers seminar today in preparation for the new session,” he said.

    Managing Director, NTIC, Abuja, Orhan Kertim, denied all terrorism links to the schools, which he said had been law abiding and were more Nigerian than Turkish.

    In a statement, the spokesperson for the NTIC, Cemal Yigit, urged the general public to ignore and disregard the claims as the institutions were not political.

    He said: “The NTIC is not a Turkish government run institution, but a privately funded institution by a group of Turkish investors. As a responsible organisation operating in Nigeria since 1998, we are conversant with the laws of the land and we have to our best ability abided by these stipulations.

    “The call, therefore, by the Turkish Ambassador, is not only baseless, but it is also unfounded and of poor taste. Nigeria is a sovereign country and the call by the Turkish ambassador is not only an affront to the sovereignty of the Nigerian nation but a display of the crass ignorance.

    “The NTIC schools in Nigeria are Turkish in name but Nigerian in deeds. We are partners in progress as evident in all our activities since 1998. NTIC is non-political and non partisan.Our philosophy is centered on dialogue, love and tolerance.”

    Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu, however, put to rest all concerns about the continued existence of the schools when he told The Nation that there was no evidence of terrorism linkages that would warrant closing the schools. Adamu said Nigeria, as a sovereign state, had rules and regulations guiding its operations, either diplomatic or otherwise.

    “These institutions came to Nigeria and indicated interest in investing in education system. Conditions were presented to them and they apparently met the requirements, and were issued operational license, and they have been operating in line with the specification of the licence they have.

    “In that regard, it would be morally and legally unfair to yield to the call of the Turkish government on mere allegations. We have no evidence against the Turkish schools and other investments in Nigeria that would warrant that we take the action as requested by the government and close the schools or other investments. Until the Turkish government proves otherwise, they will continue to do their legitimate business here in Nigeria,” he said.

    Happy with the Federal Government’s decision, Principal, NTIC, Mowe, Mr Ercan Yilmaz, said: “The education minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has certified us to continue operations since the accusations are unfounded and untrue. Besides the name of the school is Nigerian Turkish, but it is established as a Nigerian organisation, so even if there’s something wrong, it is not Turkey that can say do this or that but the Nigerian government. We are happy working here and we will continue our work here.”

  • Turkish airs

    •Turkish Airlines: how not to be a good corporate citizen?

    Though the matter is in court, the narrative is sordid and signposts all the traits unbecoming of a multinational corporate body. And it is worse  when the entity is the national carrier of a country which hoists a country’s flag and emblazon her colours across the globe. You would expect the very best of behaviour of such a company; wouldn’t you?

    But in this case between the Turkish Airlines and her passengers, the story has been less than palatable. It is so much so that the Federal Government has had to step in on behalf of the hapless customers of the airline. Even then, the company remained heedless, warranting the Federal Government to approach the court to seek redress.

    As the report goes, at least three Turkish Airlines flights from Istanbul to Abuja during the periods of December 2015 and January 2016 were apparently marred by the mishandling of customers’ luggage which resulted in their late delivery. Considering that this was at the peak of seasonal commercial activities, these delays may have resulted in loss of business for many of the airline’s passengers.

    Seeking redress, some of the passengers had reported to the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) which in turn invited the management of Turkish Airlines. But the airline allegedly ignored CPC’s several invitations to it to appear before the council. The matter was then reported to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF).

    According to report, the airline remained recalcitrant, refusing to heed all invitations by the OAGF. The Federal Government therefore had no further recourse than to take the airline to court for alleged impunity and violation of the rights of some Nigerians.

    Here is an extract from the official statement of the CPC: “The prosecution of the airline and its principal officers followed a warning by the Federal Government to the airline to respond within 21 days to the Consumer Protection Council’s request for full situation report on the airline’s alleged shoddy treatment of passengers of flight TK 623 of Sunday December 20, 2015 and other subsequent flights during the Yuletide or face prosecution.”

    The last letter from the OAGF dated March 17, 2016 which handed the airline a 21-day ultimatum was signed on its behalf by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation. When this was not heeded, the OAGF considered the airline’s action a deliberate attempt to ridicule a constituted authority in its host country. No choice was left than to proceed to court.

    As noted above, this matter is before the court, thus no attempt must be made to pre-empt the legal proceedings, but if the story is as reported, it smacks of impunity for a foreign corporate organisation to defy constituted authorities of its host country. It beggars believe.

    It is strange that a foreign company would shun all forms of diplomatic niceties and exhibit such disdain for its host country. Couldn’t the airline have sent its officers to make even mere appearances at the office of the CPC?

    We must therefore commend the CPC and the OAGF for standing up for the passengers and seeking to win them some respect, if not redress. There had been many cases in the past of mistreatment of airline passengers. Many have cases of misplaced and lost luggage that often went unattended to or dragged too long that the victims eventually spent even more money without getting commensurate recompense, if any.

    We urge the OAGF to pursue this matter to its logical conclusion and ensure that justice is done. Above all, let this Turkish Airline case serve as a cautionary note to all service providers, especially airlines in the country, that contract terms must be strictly adhered to.

  • Suspected Islamic State suicide bombers kill 36 at Istanbul

    Suspected Islamic State suicide bombers kill 36 at Istanbul

    Three suicide bombers opened fire then blew themselves up in Istanbul’s main international airport on Tuesday, killing 36 people and wounding close to 150.

    One attacker opened fire in the departures hall with an automatic rifle, sending passengers diving for cover and trying to flee, before all three blew themselves up in or around the arrivals hall a floor below, witnesses and officials said.

    The attack on Europe’s third-busiest airport is one of the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings in Turkey, which is struggling to contain the spillover from neighbouring Syria’s civil war and battling an insurgency by Kurdish militants in its southeast.

    Police fired shots to try to stop two of the attackers just before they reached a security checkpoint at the arrivals hall, but they detonated their explosives, a Turkish official said.

    “It became clear with this incident again that terrorism is a global threat. This attack, targeting innocent people is a vile, planned terrorist act,” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told reporters at the airport.

    “There is initial evidence that each of the three suicide bombers blew themselves up after opening fire,” he said, adding that they had come to the airport by taxi and that preliminary findings pointed to Islamic State responsibility.

    The vast majority of those killed were Turkish nationals but foreigners were also among the dead, the official said.

    “There was a huge explosion, extremely loud. The roof came down. Inside the airport it is terrible, you can’t recognise it, the damage is big,” said Ali Tekin, who was at the arrivals hall waiting for a guest when the attack took place.

    A woman named Duygu, who was at passport control having just arrived from Germany, said she threw herself onto the floor with the sound of the explosion.

    Several witnesses also reported hearing gunfire shortly before the attacks.

    “Everyone started running away. Everywhere was covered with blood and body parts. I saw bullet holes on the doors,” she said outside the airport.

    Almost seven hours after the attack, which started around 9:50 p.m. (1850 GMT), no group had claimed responsibility.

    The attack bore similarities to a suicide bombing by Islamic State militants at Brussels airport in March which killed 16 people.

    A coordinated attack also targeted a rush-hour metro train, killing a further 16 people in the Belgian capital.

    Paul Roos, 77, described seeing one of the attackers “randomly shooting” in the departures hall.

    “He was just firing at anyone coming in front of him. He was wearing all black. His face was not masked. I was 50 metres away from him,” said Roos, a South African returning to Cape Town with his wife after a holiday in southern Turkey.

    “We ducked behind a counter but I stood up and watched him. Two explosions went off shortly after one another. By that time he had stopped shooting,” Roos told Reuters.

    “He turned around and started coming towards us. He was holding his gun inside his jacket. He looked around anxiously to see if anyone was going to stop him and then went down the escalator … We heard some more gunfire and then another explosion, and then it was over.”

    President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups.

    “The attack, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, shows that terrorism strikes with no regard for faith and values,” he said in a statement.

    “The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world,” he said, urging all governments to join forces against terrorism.

    The U.S. said it stood in solidarity with Turkey, its NATO ally, and that such attacks would only reinforce their joint determination.

    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need to intensify global efforts to combat extremism.

    Ataturk is Turkey’s largest airport and a major transport hub for travellers from around the world.

    Pictures posted on social media from the site showed wounded people lying on the ground inside and outside the international terminal.

    A helicopter buzzed overhead as police evacuated the building.

    Dozens of passengers walked back down access roads with their luggage, trying to hail cabs.

    Authorities halted the takeoff of scheduled flights from the airport and passengers were transferred to hotels, a Turkish Airlines official said.

    Earlier an airport official said some flights to the airport had been diverted, although Yildirim said air traffic had later resumed.

    In the U.S., the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reacted to the explosions by putting armed, high-visibility patrols at the three main airports in the New York metropolitan region.

    Turkey has suffered a spate of bombings this year, including two suicide attacks in tourist areas of Istanbul blamed on Islamic State, and two car bombings in the capital, Ankara, which were claimed by a Kurdish militant group.

    In the most recent attack, a car bomb ripped through a police bus in central Istanbul during the morning rush hour, killing 11 people and wounding 36 near the main tourist district, a major university and the mayor’s office.

    Turkey, which is part of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, is also fighting Kurdish militants in its largely Kurdish southeast.

    One person was killed on Dec. 23, 2015, when an explosion hit Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha Gokcen, located on the Asian side of the city. That attack was claimed by a Kurdish militant group.

     

  • Turkish tales of right abuses

    For every advocate of good governance and true democracy, the events and developments in Turkey would be of serious concern. Revelations on the happenings in that country indicated that Turkey has finally become a recluse state, where rights of individuals are not regarded.

    As a keen follower of activities in Turkey, I realized that the people of Turkey have found themselves under a government that has a penchant for abuse of fundamental human rights. It has become a recurrent occurrence. The Justice Development Party-led government has proven beyond doubt its likeness for suppressing opposing views.

    For instance, a recent report by the United States of America on rights abuses perpetrated in Turkey under the Justice Development Party (AKP) revealed that the media, the judiciary and other business interests owned by perceived enemies of the government were targeted.

    The last November election in Turkey saw the height of human right abuses. It was an event that saw the biggest clampdown on the press through forceful takeover of privately-owned media by government forces. It was a sour taste for those who chose to be in the opposition parties.  It is on record that opposition parties were denied level playing grounds as their campaign were grounded by government forces. It was not different for the judiciary; judges were coerced to do government biddings. Justice became expensive as access was denied citizens because of government’s insistence on compromising the course of justice in Turkey.

    Turks continued to lament under the draconian rule of the AKP. It was a challenging security environment as captured by the US reports on the rights abuses in Turkey. The election that produced the present government of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was, to say the least, a terror of sorts meted on the opposition. For example, reports have it that during the build-up to the election, attacks on opposition party officials and campaign staffers in some cases “hindered contestants’ ability to campaign freely”. A number of Turks expressed concern that media restrictions during the campaign period “reduced voters’ access to a plurality of views and information during the election process on November 1, which led to the formation of a government on November 24 by Prime Minister Davutoglu, even though it was considered a generally free election”.

    Another disturbing experience was that prior to the November election in Turkey, the authorities had arrested estimated 30 journalists, most charged under anti-terror laws or for alleged association with an illegal organization. What is more, Turkish government also exerted pressure on the media through security force raids on media companies; confiscation of publications with allegedly objectionable materials; criminal investigation of journalists and editors for alleged terrorism links or for insulting the president and other senior government officials; reprisals against the business interests of owners of some media conglomerates; fines; and internet blocking.

    I read with displease the reports that revealed that pressure on Kurdish-language and opposition media outlets in the Southeast reduced vulnerable populations’ access to information about the conflict with the PKK. A number of media outlets affiliated with the Fethullah Gulen movement were dropped from digital media platforms (cable providers) and five outlets were taken under the control of government-appointed trustees. Representatives of Gulenist and some liberal media outlets were denied access to official events and in some cases, denied press accreditation.

    It was obvious that the AKP led government is fighting a perceived enemy when their action led to most Gulen-affiliated television channels to lose a significant portion of their audience after the pay-television platforms dropped them, beginning with Tivibu on September 27. By October 15, four (out of six) digital pay-television platforms had dropped the channels. The government’s media regulatory institution, RTUK, had warned the operators that the removal violated broadcasting requirements for platform operators to be fair and impartial and was inconsistent with standard legal procedure. Despite the RTUK warning, a fifth pay-television platform, Turksat, dropped Gulen-affiliated channels on November 16.

    Turkish government has the culture of manipulating the legal system to get at opponent. It was emphasized in a report that Turkish authorities used the anti-terror laws during the year to detain individuals and seize assets, including media companies, of individuals alleged to be associated with the Gulen movement, designated by the government during the year as the Fethullah Gulen terrorist organization. For instance, on October 28, police used teargas and water cannons to disperse crowds of supporters in front of the office building housing the Kanalturk and Bugun TV television stations, then forced their way into the building and shut down the two channels during a live broadcast. The police action was the result of a court ruling creating a board of trustees to manage the stations’ parent company, Koza Ipek Holding. Critics of the takeover cited procedural irregularities and asserted that the media outlets were targeted for criticizing the government. Government officials denied any political motives, stating the connection between Koza Ipek Holding and Gulen justified the action.

    In the report, it was also noted that writers and publishers were subject to prosecution on grounds of defamation, denigration, obscenity, separatism, terrorism, subversion, fundamentalism, and insulting religious values. It said authorities investigated or continued court cases against myriad publications and publishers during the year. On December 15, a Gaziantep court ruled that the books of three authors, Hasan Cemal, Tugce Tatri, and Muslum Yucel, would be pulled from bookstores because the books were found among the possessions of two persons arrested for PKK membership.

    The report said that with the consolidation of media outlets under a few conglomerates that had other business interests, media entities increasingly practiced self-censorship to remain eligible for government contracts.

    Human rights organizations such as Freedom House noted that certain companies with media outlets critical of the government were targeted in tax investigations and forced to pay fines.

    The State Department report also stated that several organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Freedom House, reported authorities’ increased abuse of the anti-terror law and criminal code to prosecute journalists, writers, editors, publishers, translators, rights activists, lawyers, elected officials, and students for exercising their right to free expression.