The security forces today confirmed that the Sulu military commander caught in Semporna yesterday is Datu Amir Bahar Hushin Kiram.

Deputy inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said Amir Bahar, who is in his late 40s, had been the commander issuing orders to the terrorists since their intrusion into Lahad Datu on Feb 12.

"He is being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012," he told a news conference, also attended by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin at the Felda Sahabat 16 operations command near Lahad Datu.

The security forces had caught Amir Bahar and his wife in a swampy area at about 1.30am yesterday.

Khalid also said that the security authorities and the village headman and heads of households had decided that the villagers of Kampung Tanduo, where the intrusion and gun battles took place, would be allowed to return to their homes on Tuesday.

- Bernama