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| Shekau 'still in charge' of Nigeria's Boko Haram | Shekau 'still in charge' of Nigeria's Boko Haram |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| An audio message has emerged of Nigerian-based Islamist militant group Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau, in which he denies he has been replaced. | An audio message has emerged of Nigerian-based Islamist militant group Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau, in which he denies he has been replaced. |
| In the message, addressed to the leader of the Islamic State militant group to whom Boko Haram has pledged allegiance, Mr Shekau said he was still in command. | In the message, addressed to the leader of the Islamic State militant group to whom Boko Haram has pledged allegiance, Mr Shekau said he was still in command. |
| He had not featured in the group's recent videos, prompting speculation he had been killed or incapacitated. | He had not featured in the group's recent videos, prompting speculation he had been killed or incapacitated. |
| Last week the Chadian president said Mr Shekau had been replaced. | Last week the Chadian president said Mr Shekau had been replaced. |
| The Nigerian army has dismissed the recording as irrelevant, saying it did not matter whether he was alive or dead. | |
| Mr Shekau described as "blatant lies" reports that he was no longer in charge. | Mr Shekau described as "blatant lies" reports that he was no longer in charge. |
| "I am alive," he said, adding: "I will only die when the time appointed by Allah comes." | "I am alive," he said, adding: "I will only die when the time appointed by Allah comes." |
| The eight-minute-long recording mocked a recent statement by the new Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari that Boko Haram would be eliminated within three months. | The eight-minute-long recording mocked a recent statement by the new Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari that Boko Haram would be eliminated within three months. |
| Horrific attacks | Horrific attacks |
| Mr Shekau took over as the group's leader after its founder, Muhammad Yusuf, died in Nigerian police custody in July 2009. | Mr Shekau took over as the group's leader after its founder, Muhammad Yusuf, died in Nigerian police custody in July 2009. |
| Under his leadership Boko Haram has become more radical and has carried out more killings. | Under his leadership Boko Haram has become more radical and has carried out more killings. |
| In numerous videos, Mr Shekau has taunted the Nigerian authorities, celebrating the group's violent acts including the abduction of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014. | In numerous videos, Mr Shekau has taunted the Nigerian authorities, celebrating the group's violent acts including the abduction of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014. |
| Last month, Mr Buhari said he would be willing to negotiate with the Boko Haram leadership for the release of the Chibok girls - depending on the credibility of those saying they represented the group. | Last month, Mr Buhari said he would be willing to negotiate with the Boko Haram leadership for the release of the Chibok girls - depending on the credibility of those saying they represented the group. |
| A previous prisoner-swap attempt ended in failure. | A previous prisoner-swap attempt ended in failure. |
| Although momentum is gathering for a concerted regional offensive against the group, Boko Haram continues to carry out horrific attacks, not only in Nigeria but in its neighbours too, reports the BBC's Africa editor Mary Harper. | Although momentum is gathering for a concerted regional offensive against the group, Boko Haram continues to carry out horrific attacks, not only in Nigeria but in its neighbours too, reports the BBC's Africa editor Mary Harper. |
| Boko Haram at a glance | Boko Haram at a glance |
| Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau | Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau |
| Will new military base help defeat Boko Haram? | Will new military base help defeat Boko Haram? |
| Why Boko Haram remain a threat | Why Boko Haram remain a threat |