DSS denies dispersing doctors participating in Saudi gov’t recruitment exercise

The Department of State Security Services, DSS, has denied dispersing medical doctors participating in a recruitment interview organised by Saudi Arabia officials in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

A media report had claimed that DSS operatives stormed the hotel on Thursday morning and dispersed the doctors and journalists, who gathered at the venue.

The report also alleged that a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Marcus Fatunde, was arrested at the venue but was later released.

The recruitment interview was organised by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health.

But the secret agency, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunaya on Friday, said no operation was carried out in the hotel, adding that the report was designed to embarrass the organisation.

He said: “The attention of the DSS has once again been drawn to a falsehood being circulated in the media that it dispersed doctors attending a Saudi Arabia organised job interview at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, yesterday 26th August, 2021.”

“Though this is illogical and does not add up, 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 an operation at the hotel. It is obvious that the news is only designed to embarrass the Organisation.”

“Journalists and other media practitioners are enjoined to crosscheck their facts and ensure that they do not use their platforms to mislead the public or undermine national security.”