The incident took place at about 2.40pm "in a troubled neighbourhood" and only two GNR officers were deployed to make the arrest, the source added.

Citizens who were in the vicinity, continued the source of the GNR, "started with insults and threats to the two guards and two of them hurled toilets from neighbouring buildings, one of which hit one of the policemen".

"The two officers were also threatened with axes by two other individuals responding with bullets fired into the air," he said.

The source did not confirm whether the injured officer needed to receive hospital assistance.