by S’ola Filani

Yesterday a photograph of a corpse believed to be that of Abubakar Shekau, leader of the deadly Islamic  sect, emerged on the internet and went viral. However, Dubai-based Nigerian journalist, Ahmed Salkida, who was recently flown to Nigeria to negotiate with the insurgents has refuted claims that Abubakar Shekau is dead.

Mr. Salkida who took to Twitter some hours ago to make the announcement, Abubakar Shekau is alive and well.

Mr. Salkida also dismissed media reports that the Nigerian government was negotiating with Boko Haram for the release of more than 200 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls.

He also described as untrue reports that the International Red Cross (IRC) was working on a deal that would persuade Boko Haram to free the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in exchange for the release of detained Islamist insurgents in the custody of Nigerian security agencies.