Police searching for more gunmen in Semporna

VIDEO | 1:43 min

The police are still investigating whether there are more armed men in Kampung Sri Jaya Simunul, Semporna, said Sabah police chief Hamza Taib.

"At this moment, it is still in investigation. I would like to point out that the group was less than 10 people,” he told a press conference at Felda Sahabat Residence, Lahad Datu, today.

“If we look at the six bodies we found and another who was killed in Kampung Senallang Lama, (we probably have all of them).”

Kampung Sri Jaya Simunul was where six police officers were killed in an ambush, as they entered the village on Saturday night.

Their bodies were retrieved yesterday evening after the police launched an operation to sweep the area. During the operation, they discovered six unidentified bodies.

One gunman escaped to Kampung Senallang Lama, Semporna, yesterday where he attempted to take a hostage, but villagers lynched him to death.

Hamza said the Criminal Investigation Department is still trying to ascertain the identity of the gunmen and whether they are locals or outsiders.

He added that the bodies of the dead police personnel will be flown home at 1pm today from Tawau. They are:

- Supt G/10768 Ibrahim Lebar, Bukit Aman Special Branch, from Selangor

- ASP G/15013 Micheal Padel, Semporna Special Branch chief, from Sarawak

- SJN/D 110204 Baharin Hamit, Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters Special Branch, from Sabah

- SJN124082 Aziz Sarikun, Batallion 14, Tawau General Operations Force, from Sabah

- KPL/S 12675 Salam Togiran, Transport Unit, Tawau district police headquarters, from Sabah

- L/KPL 160475 Mohd Azrul Tukiran, Batallion 14, Tawau General Operations Force, from Selangor

Situation being monitored

In Kunak, where there were reported sighting of at least 10 intruders, Hamza said police are monitoring the situation.

"The villagers have began returning home but we are still monitoring the situation. The information (of landings in Kunak) could be true or not true," he said.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar had revealed that at least 10 men had landed in Kunak, three of whom were armed and wearing military fatigues.

This prompted the police to surround two of the villages, Kampung Lomalong and Kampung Dasar Lama, where they were suspected to be hiding.

Hamza said the police are collaborating with the army, which is leading the operations.

"We are only receiving help on technical aspects from the armed forces," he added.