Nigerian man killed by police in Malaysia after attacking officer

A Nigerian man was shot dead by police in Malaysia after he reportedly chopped off the right hand of a police officer in an attack at the Desa Amanpuri area of Kepong.

The suspect, armed with two machetes, ran out of a residential apartment and attacked police officers, firefighters, and Health Ministry staff around 7pm on Wednesday.

Commissioner Shazeli Kahar, the Selangor Police Chief, said the suspect was shot after police found him near a playground close to the apartment right after he injured the officer.

Shazeli explained that the suspect tried to attack the officers again, which led them to fire multiple shots in self-defence while trying to catch him.

“The gunshots hit the suspect, and police tried to rush him to the hospital for treatment,” Shazeli told reporters at Selayang Hospital late Wednesday night.

He mentioned that the suspect was confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The injured officer, a 26-year-old lance corporal, lost his right hand and was stable while undergoing surgery at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

The trouble started after police got a public complaint around 4pm about a man acting aggressively at the residential building.

According to the Malaysian news agency Bernama, police officers, firefighters, and Health Ministry staff were sent to the apartment to handle the situation.

But when they opened the door, the suspect allegedly charged at them with two machetes, hurting the police officer and some other first responders.

The injured officer, part of the Mobile Patrol Vehicle unit at the Gombak District Police Headquarters, also had injuries to his head and body.

Police reported that the suspect escaped after the attack but was found near a playground around 8pm.

He reportedly attacked the officers again when they tried to arrest him, which made them open fire.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, spoke out against the attack and wished the injured officer a quick recovery.

In a statement on Thursday, Anwar called violence against law enforcement personnel unacceptable.

“Firm action must be taken against any criminal acts, regardless of who the perpetrators are, to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of enforcement personnel on duty,” he said.

Later reports by Malay Mail on Thursday revealed that doctors had successfully reattached the injured officer’s right hand after surgery at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.