Police today shot dead a man on their 'most wanted' list, who was believed to have been involved in more than 20 robberies in the district.

District police chief ACP Fadil Marsus said the man, a foreigner known as Herman, 28, was gunned down in a scuffle with police at 5.50am near an abandoned building in Kampung Titingan.

"Police were left with no choice but to shoot the suspect to defend themselves after being attacked with a samurai sword.

"Two of the shots hit him on the chest," he told reporters here today.

According to him, Herman was believed to be the leader of a group of seven to eight robbers who police were now hounding.

"The criminal, who kept changing his identity, had previously been detained in 2014 and 2015 for drug offences," said Fadil.

He said a samurai sword, screwdriver, axe, spade, wire cutter and arrows were also seized from the suspect.