A Nigerian man has been shot dead by police in Malaysia after allegedly severing the right hand of a police officer with a machete during an attack in the Desa Amanpuri area of Kepong.
The suspect, who was reportedly armed with two machetes, emerged from a residential apartment and attacked police officers, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel who had responded to a complaint about his aggressive behaviour.
The incident occurred at about 7pm on Wednesday, shortly after the authorities arrived at the property.
Selangor Police Chief, Commissioner Shazeli Kahar, said the suspect was later sighted near a playground close to the apartment after injuring the officer.
He said the man attempted to attack the police again when they moved to apprehend him, forcing the officers to open fire in self-defence.
“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 night.
He added that the suspect was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The injured officer, a 26-year-old lance corporal, reportedly lost his right hand in the attack and also sustained injuries to his head and other parts of his body.
He was taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital, where he underwent surgery and was said to be in stable condition.
However, a subsequent report by Malay Mail on Thursday said doctors successfully reattached his right hand during the operation.
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The attack reportedly followed a public complaint received by police at about 4pm on Wednesday over a man behaving aggressively at the residential property.
The Malaysian news agency, Bernama, reported that police officers, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel were deployed to the apartment to manage the situation.
However, when the door was opened, the suspect allegedly rushed at the responding team with two machetes, injuring the police officer and other first responders.
The injured officer was attached to the Mobile Patrol Vehicle unit of the Gombak District Police Headquarters.
Police said the suspect fled after the attack but was later located near a playground at about 8pm.
He reportedly attempted to attack the officers again when they approached him, prompting them to shoot him.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, condemned the incident and wished the injured officer a speedy recovery.
In a statement on Thursday, Anwar described attacks on security personnel responsible for protecting public safety as 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.
