President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the two policemen responsible for the murder of Kolade Johnson at a football viewing centre in Lagos will face prosecution.

The President said that there was the need to reform the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) whose conduct had attracted #EndSARS campaign.

In a statement shared on his Twitter handle, the president said,

“The recent unfortunate action of SARS operatives from the Lagos State Police Command, which led to the avoidable death of Mr. Kolade Johnson, is deeply regretted. Once again, our condolences (go) to the family of the deceased. I’m aware the police authorities have visited them.

“I acknowledge the genuine outrage from citizens and civil society groups regarding the activities of SARS. As you’re aware, the suspects in the Kolade Johnson killing are in custody. When the orderly room trial is concluded, indicted officers will be prosecuted in court.

“While important steps have been taken by the police leadership to restructure and reform SARS, in line with presidential directives, more needs to be done. I assure this will be done. We will continue to work to ensure that we have a police force that adheres to the rule of law.”

Also in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari emphasised that the killers of the late football fan would not go unpunished.

The statement read,

“Government will not tolerate in any way the brutalisation of Nigerians or the violation of their rights. Any officer of the law enforcement agencies or any other government functionary caught in this act will certainly be visited with the full weight of the law.”

The President’s tweet has attracted diverse reactions from Nigerians. While many commended him for his statement, some doubted his commitment to sanitise the police and curb the excesses of the operatives.

A Twitter user, @IbeA13, said he hoped the President’s statement was not made to curry media sympathy.

“Thank you, @MBuhari for recognising the fact that we have a huge problem with our internal security architecture. I do hope this statement will go beyond just seeking media sympathy and attention to full implementation. Thank you,” he tweeted.

Another respondent, identified as Rita @Rita77728871, said she would take Buhari’s Next Level campaign mantra as a reality “if SARS is reformed and restructured.”

Another Twitter user @Emmanuelpopson called for an overhaul of SARS and urged the President to extend the reform to other paramilitary agencies.

He wrote,

“Sir, we shouldn’t just cut the branches of a tree when it’s bad, but uproot it. The #SARS issue should be addressed holistically and reforms should be carried out in all paramilitary agencies. Please assent your signature to the @nassnigeria bill on police reforms which is mandatory.”

“Sir, we need real police reforms and not just random actions. Thanks,”

Some of the Twitter users also asked the President to address the recent killings in Zamfara and kidnapping on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.