The Department of State Services (DSS) says it did not disperse doctors attending a Saudi Arabia-organised job interview at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday.
DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya in a statement on Friday said the denial became necessary following reports by the news media that operatives of the DSS dispersed doctors attending the interview.
“Though this is illogical and does not add up, the sections of the media that reported it did not care to verify the news before going to print.
“No further evidence was also adduced to prove that the DSS carried out such operation at the hotel. It is obvious that the news is only designed to embarrass the organisation,’’ he stated.
Afunanya urged the media to always crosscheck facts and guard against the use of their platforms to mislead the public or to undermine national security.
The DSS’s position conflicts with those of sources who told the news media that operatives of the Service invaded the venue of the interview.
The recruitment which was also held on Tuesday had hundreds of doctors including medical consultants flood the Ladi Kwali Hall of the hotel to participate. Thursday’s session was for the recruitment of senior registrars, a rank above house officers but below consultants.
A doctor who did not want to be named told PUNCH that both jobless people and those in need of better remuneration attended the interview and that there was nothing illegal about it.
“We didn’t commit any crime; we just wanted a better system. So, why is the government trying to frustrate us? the doctor asked.
