Speculation is mounting over the fate of the leader of Nigeria's Boko Haram terror sect after the group released a propaganda video in which he was absent.
The group's latest broadcast neither featured nor mentioned Abubakar Shekau, whose cackling, ranting speeches normally play a central role in their publicity videos.
His absence has prompted questions over whether he may have have been killed, injured or removed from the group as its overall commander. During a visit to Boko Haram's strongholds in north-east Nigeria last month, The Daily Telegraph was told by soldiers that they believed he had fled the country, shaving off his Islamist beard to help him disguise.
The new ten-minute long video featured an unidentified young man who said he spoke in the name of "The army of the caliphate in West Africa". The name, versions of which have been used by Boko Haram in the past, is believed to be reference to the group's declaration of allegiance earlier this year to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
