Boko Haram leader, Shekau is dead - Army claims

The Nigerian army says it believes that the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, may have died after being shot in a clash with soldiers.

"It is greatly believed that Shekau might have died between 25 July [and] 3 August 2013", the statement issued on Monday said.

It added that it believed Shekau was shot on June 30 during a clash with troops at a Boko Haram camp in the Sambisa forest in northeastern Nigeria - an area of major Boko Haram activity. The army claimed Shekau was then secretly taken to Cameroon for treatment, but later died.

Shekau was described in the statement as "the most dreaded and wanted" Boko Haram leader.The United States recently offered a $7m bounty for information leading to his arrest.

The Army has not provided any video or photographic evidence of their claims.