A Nigerian man has been shot dead by Malaysian police after allegedly attacking emergency responders with two machetes in Desa Amanpuri, Kepong, near Kuala Lumpur, leaving one police officer with a severed wrist and another seriously injured.
According to The Nigerian Voice, the suspect, who was known within the Nigerian community as “War”, had reportedly been struggling with drug addiction.
Authorities were said to have received a request to assist with his rehabilitation. Police officers, firefighters and personnel from Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, accompanied by an ambulance, subsequently arrived at his apartment to facilitate his transfer to a rehabilitation centre.
However, at about 7 p.m., the suspect allegedly emerged with two machetes and attacked the responding team as they attempted to carry out the transfer.
During the incident, he reportedly severed the right wrist of a 26-year-old Lance Corporal and struck him on the head and face. Another police officer also sustained serious injuries.
Speaking at a press conference at the hospital, Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the suspect fled the scene but was later located near a playground close to the apartment complex between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
According to the police chief, the man allegedly launched another machete attack when officers approached him to effect an arrest.
“In an effort to defend themselves and arrest the suspect, police fired several shots at him,” Shazeli Kahar said.
He explained that the gunfire initially injured the suspect rather than killing him. Officers reportedly attempted to take him to a hospital for medical attention after noticing his condition.
However, the Nigerian man was pronounced dead upon arrival at Selayang Hospital.
Meanwhile, the injured 26-year-old officer was reported to be in stable condition and receiving treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, where surgeons were expected to attempt to reattach his severed wrist.
