Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, has denied a report earlier this week that suggested he was hit in an airstrike by the military in Borno State.
Shekau, in a video message posted online on Thursday, said claims that he was injured in an attack by the air force were untrue.
He was reportedly wounded and one of his deputies killed when two air force jets bombarded fighters at Balla village, on the edge of the Sambisa Forest in Borno state, last Friday.
Surveillance footage showed missiles being fired on what the air force said were Boko Haram fighters, while the army announced it had “neutralised quite a number of terrorists”, including Shekau at Balla.
“There were indications that quite a number of the terrorists’ key leaders have either been killed or wounded,” army spokesman Brigadier-General Sani Usman said earlier Thursday, without naming Shekau.
But in a 14-minute video, Shekau leader claimed ignorance of the incident and the location, insisting he was not injured and that none of his key lieutenants was harmed .
“I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m alive,” he said, wearing his trademark camouflage jacket and cradling an assault rifle.
“I’m alive, you have not killed any of my men. I didn’t even know this incident you are talking about ever happened.
“What surprises me is your claim that I’m nursing wounds. Look at me well. Look at my sitting posture.”
There was no indication where the video was shot.
He boasted that it was not yet time for him to die, and that he would carry out more killings in the future.
“You claimed your jets struck at our gathering while we were praying, killed some of us and injured me near Damboa. I don’t even know the town you mentioned,” he said.
“Earlier you claimed I was in Sambisa, now you said I was near Damboa road. You will never know my location. Allah kept out of sight because I believe in him and doing his biddings. Be patient, once my time on earth ends, I will die. Nothing will happen to me.
“We are not worried. We are making this video to dispel your propaganda. Deceitful people end in shame. Shekau is alive… I have not started killing in the name of religion yet. I will start in future.”
Shekau also attacked President Muhammadu Buhari and Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff.
He said both men were shouldering a burden beyond their capacities.
“To Buhari, Buratai and lawmakers you are shouldering a burden beyond your capacity. Your imagination is more incredible than the tale of a hawk that lifts an elephant,” he said.
“So I’m alive. But if God wills that you will kill me, it is not surprising because many prophets of Allah were killed by infidels. I will be happy to die in the cause of Allah.”