Nigerian Man Shot Dead by Malaysian Police After Allegedly Hacking Officer’s Hand

A Nigerian man has been shot dead by police in Malaysia after allegedly attacking law enforcement officers and other emergency responders with two machetes, hacking off the right hand of a police officer in the process.

The incident occurred in the Desa Amanpuri area of Kepong on Wednesday evening after the suspect reportedly charged out of a residential apartment and attacked police officers, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel who had been deployed to manage the situation.

Selangor Police Chief, Commissioner Shazeli Kahar, said the suspect was shot after officers located him near a playground not far from the apartment, shortly after the attack.

According to Shazeli, the suspect attempted to attack the officers again when they tried to apprehend him, forcing the police to open fire in self-defence.

He said the gunshots injured the suspect, after which officers made efforts to rush him to the hospital for medical attention.

“The gunshots injured the suspect and police personnel made efforts to take him to hospital for treatment,” Shazeli told reporters at Selayang Hospital late on Wednesday.

He added that the suspect was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

The injured police officer, identified as a 26-year-old lance corporal, reportedly suffered the amputation of his right hand and sustained additional injuries to his head and other parts of his body.

He was initially reported to be in stable condition while undergoing surgery at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

However, subsequent reports by Malay Mail on Thursday disclosed that medical personnel had successfully reattached the officer’s right hand following the operation.

The attack reportedly began after police received a public complaint at about 4pm concerning a man behaving aggressively at the residential property.

Following the complaint, police officers, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel were dispatched to the apartment to address the situation.

According to the Malaysian news agency, Bernama, the suspect allegedly charged at the responding personnel with two machetes when the apartment door was opened, injuring the police officer and several other first responders.

The injured officer was attached to the Mobile Patrol Vehicle unit of the Gombak District Police Headquarters.

Following the attack, the suspect reportedly fled the scene but was later spotted near a playground at about 8pm.

Police said he attempted to attack the officers again when they approached him for arrest, prompting them to fire several shots.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the attack and expressed sympathy for the injured officer, praying for his speedy recovery.

In a statement on Thursday, Anwar described violence against security and enforcement personnel responsible for protecting public safety as unacceptable.

He called for firm action against criminal activities, regardless of the identities of those involved.

“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.

The incident has drawn attention to the dangers faced by police officers and emergency responders while attending to security complaints and public disturbances.