Senate committee probes ‘lopsided recruitment’ into DSS

Tijani Kaura, senate committee chairman on federal character and inter-governmental affairs, says an investigation is ongoing into the alleged lopsided recruitment into Department of State Services (DSS).

A report by Premium Times had alleged that out the 479 cadets commissioned on March 5, a large number of them were from the north.

But a statement by the presidency said the matter was taken in isolation of the context it was done.

“It is important to emphasise that it is in the interest of peace, stability and the general well-being of the nation that all component units are fairly represented in organisations such as this. Where this comes short, efforts must be made to correct such lopsidedness as the DSS did between 2014 and 2016,” the statement had read.

At plenary on Thursday, Kaura said that his committee would ensure that justice is done in the said recruitment.

“In the last few weeks, Nigeria media, both print and electronic have been awashed with issues that have to do with recruitment of cadet officers of the Department of State Services (DSS),” he said.

“I stand before you on behalf of the committee of federal character and inter-governmental affairs to assure our distinguished colleagues and indeed all Nigerians that this committee is looking critically into this matter with the intention of ensuring that justice is done in this recruitment.

“Furthermore, I also want to add that this committee had similar cases from other agencies and which the committee at the same time is looking at critically in order to make sure that justice in consideration to provisions of the constitution.”

On his part, Senate President Bukola Saraki, said he was happy that the committee was already looking into the matter as the senate would be waiting for its findings and recommendations.

“I’m happy that you are looking into the matter, the committee is, I think you will keep us posted on your findings and recommendations,” Saraki said.