The police will have the Sulu gunmen's leader Azzimudie Kiram or Agbimuddin extradited from the Philippines to face prosecution in Malaysia, said Sabah police chief Hamza Taib.

He said Azzimudie, as mentioned by inspector-general of police Ismail Omar, had led the Sulu intrusion in Lahad Datu and was now believed to be back in the Philippines.

"Even if he is there (in the Philippines), we do not face any problem because we have undertaken an investigation under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 against those under detention.

"We will compile the evidence and use the legal channel to have Azzimudie extradited to face charges in our country," he told a news conference at the Felda Sahabat plantation, near Lahad Datu.

Ismail and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, at a joint news conference in Kota Kinabalu yesterday, said Azzimudie is believed to have fled to the Philippines.

However, Abraham Idjirani, spokesperson and secretary-general of the Sulu sultanate, said Azzimudie was still in Sabah , where he has continued to evade Malaysian security forces.

- Bernama