Nigerian Man Shot Dead by Malaysian Police After Hacking Off Officer's Hand
A Nigerian man was shot dead by Malaysian police after he allegedly hacked off a police officer's hand with a machete during an attack on first responders in Kepong. The 26-year-old lance corporal had his right hand amputated in the attack and also suffered head and body injuries; doctors later reattached the hand and he is in stable condition. The suspect, armed with two machetes, charged at police, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel after they responded to a complaint of aggressive behaviour at a residential apartment around 7pm Wednesday. Police located the suspect near a playground; when he attempted to attack officers again they fired in self-defence, wounding him. He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the attack on enforcement personnel, calling violence against those protecting public safety unacceptable and demanding firm action. Separately, more than 1,200 people went on trial in Guinea on charges of illegal gold mining, with local officials also removed for allegedly facilitating the activity that has caused environmental damage.
Attack on Malaysian First Responders
The attack began after police received a public complaint at about 4pm concerning a man behaving aggressively at a residential property in the Desa Amanpuri area of Kepong. [1] Police officers, firefighters and Health Ministry personnel were dispatched to the apartment to manage the situation. [1] When the door was opened, the suspect allegedly charged at the responding personnel with two machetes, injuring the police officer and several other first responders. [1] The suspect, who was armed with two machetes, reportedly charged out of the residential apartment and attacked the first responders at about 7pm on Wednesday. [1]
Police Confrontation and Shooting
The Selangor Police Chief, Commissioner Shazeli Kahar, said the suspect was shot after he was spotted near a playground not far from the apartment, shortly after injuring the police officer. [1] According to Shazeli, the suspect attempted to attack the officers again, prompting them to fire several shots in self-defence while trying to apprehend him. [1] Police said the suspect fled after the attack but was later located near a playground at about 8pm. [1] He reportedly attacked the officers again when they attempted to arrest him, prompting them to open fire. [1] 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. [1] The suspect was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. [1]
Officer's Condition and Surgery
The injured officer, a 26-year-old lance corporal attached to the Mobile Patrol Vehicle unit of the Gombak District Police Headquarters, reportedly suffered the amputation of his right hand and was in stable condition while undergoing surgery at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. [1] The injured officer also sustained injuries to his head and body. [1] Subsequent reports by Malay Mail on Thursday disclosed that doctors had successfully reattached the injured officer’s right hand following surgery at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. [1]
Prime Minister's Condemnation
Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, condemned the attack and prayed for the injured officer’s speedy recovery. [1] In a statement on Thursday, Anwar described violence against enforcement personnel entrusted with protecting public safety as unacceptable. [1] “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. [1]
Guinea Illegal Mining Trial
The trial of more than 1,200 people charged with illegal gold mining opened in Conakry on Wednesday amid a recent crackdown on the practice. [3] The defendants were arrested in Guinea's northeastern gold-producing region of Siguiri. [3] A number of local officials have also been struck off, accused of promoting and facilitating illegal mining. [3] Sidiki Berete, representing the officials, said: “We cannot go after our authorities, who were appointed barely four months ago and inherited this situation. Criminal liability is personal. As for corruption, the individuals arrested have publicly stated in court that they do not even know these officials, that there was no contact, and that they did not have their authorization. No money was involved. Therefore, there is no connection.” [3] Guinea's clandestine mines drew people from across West Africa looking for work. [3] When the ban took effect on 2 November, tens of thousands were deported. [3] Neighboring Mali is warning of a humanitarian catastrophe. [3] Burkina Faso has complained its citizens were subjected to inhumane treatment. [3] The miners' lawyer Abou Camara says they're not the ones who should be on trial. [3] “The real culprits are elsewhere, not my clients. We must not use my clients as scapegoats. They are not the ones [responsible]. They are far from being connected to these acts of illicit enrichment." [3] Guinea is rich in mineral resources, particularly gold and bauxite. [3] Authorities are trying to curb environmental challenges resulting from artisanal gold mining, including land degradation and the pollution of waterways. [3]
Other Crime Developments
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the transfer of Faisal Maina, son of former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, to a correctional centre to serve his seven-year prison sentence. [2] Judge James Omotosho gave the order on Thursday after granting an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enforce the judgement convicting and sentencing him. [2] Mr Maina had evaded prison since he was convicted and sentenced until his recent arrest. [2] He is to serve three years’ imprisonment on count one, seven years on count two and three years on count three. [2] The sentences are to run concurrently from 14 October, when he was re-arrested. [2] In France, the trial of five men accused of murdering the brother of anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci is under way. [5] The defendants face the possibility of life imprisonment. [5] The verdict is expected on Monday, November 16. [5]
What to watch next: The French trial of five men for the murder of Amine Kessaci's brother continues with a verdict expected on Monday, November 16, while Faisal Maina begins serving his concurrent seven-year sentence from the date of his re-arrest on 14 October.
