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.
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.
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.
"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.
BBC
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