This Article is From Oct 02, 2014

Boko Haram Leader Dismisses Claims of His Death in New Video

Boko Haram Leader Dismisses Claims of His Death in New Video

Photo Credit: AFP PHOTO / BOKO HARAM

Kano, Nigeria: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau dismissed Nigerian military claims of his death in a new video obtained by AFP on Thursday and said the militants had implemented strict Islamic law in captured towns.

"Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath," Shekau said in the 36-minute video, adding that his group was "running our... Islamic caliphate" and administering sharia punishments.

Nigeria's military said last week that Shekau was dead and that a man who had been posing as the group's leader in the videos had been shot dead after fighting with troops in the far northeast.

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