Boko Haram Leader Shekhau Denies Reports about His Death

A man said to be Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, on Sunday released an audio recording in which he refuted reports about his death.

Security experts reportedly confirmed that it was indeed Shekau’s voice in the recording.

According to Sahara Reporters, the recording was eight minutes long and in Hausa language. Here are excerpts of what Shekhau said:

“It is indeed all over the global media of infidels that I am dead or that I am sick and incapacitated and have lost influence in the affairs of religion,” he said in the recording released on social media.

It should be understood that this is false. This is indeed a lie. If it were true, my voice wouldn’t have been heard, now that I am speaking.

Gratitude be to Allah and with his help, I have not disappeared. I am still alive and I am not dead. And I will not die until my time appointed by Allah is up.

…This ostentatious person, a liar — I mean Buhari, who raised arms to crush us in three months. You Buhari, why didn’t you say in three years?” Shekau demanded.

We will certainly fight you by the grace of Allah until we establish Allah’s law everywhere on Earth.”