The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) reported that a Nigerian suspected drug dealer assaulted one of its officers during an operation in Randburg, a northern suburb of South Africa’s largest city.

The incident occurred Sunday afternoon when JMPD officers, following a lead, confronted the suspect, who then called for reinforcements, claiming he was being robbed. This led to a violent altercation in which two suspects were shot, one critically injured and taken to Olivedale Hospital, and another wounded and arrested at the scene.

A third suspect, who transported the critically injured individual to the hospital, was also apprehended. The officer’s firearm was recovered, and a police vehicle was damaged during the incident. Lesiba Thobakgale, spokesperson for the South African Policing Union, condemned the attack, urging the government to treat assaults on police as treason. JMPD has opened a case of attempted murder and public violence for further investigation.