A military officer of the 16 Brigade, Yenagoa, Abbas Fatai, has been shot dead by suspected members of Icelanders cult group, a wireless message seen by Peoples Gazette stated.

Mr Fatai was shot dead at about 09:12 p.m. on July 22, at Igbogene Junction in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where he resided, according to preliminary investigations by the army.

The cult group led by a man named Confidence attacked and shot the officer who was subsequently rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“Suspected members of Icelanders cult group led by one Mr Confidence attacked and shot 08NA/61/2298 CPL Abbas Fatai of 16 Brigade at Igbogene Junction in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State,” the message read in part.

The army said Mr Fatai’s body had been deposited at Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, as soldiers have also launched a manhunt for the suspects.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Butswat Asinim, did not return The Gazette’s request seeking comments about the officer’s death.

On July 15, a Nigerian Army general, Hassan Ahmed, was murdered by gunmen along the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

Mr Ahmed’s death was announced in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.