DSS invades venue of Saudi Arabia recruitment of Nigerian doctors, process suspended

THE Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday invaded Sheraton Hotels, Abuja and dispersed medical doctors who were being interviewed for employment in Saudi Arabia.

The recruitment which 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.

However, DSS agents arrived at the hotel yesterday morning and dispersed the doctors and journalists.

A journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting Marcus Fatunde was reportedly arrested at the venue, but later released.

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.

Vice president of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors Adejo Arome said organisers of the interview confirmed to him that the exercise had been suspended.

The recruitment came in the wake of the impasse in negotiation between resident doctors and the Federal Government.

The doctors have refused to suspend their industrial action which started on August 1 despite court order.

The newspaper said DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya could not be reached for comments.