According to Chadian President, Idriss Deby, Abubakar Shekau is no longer the leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group.    

Speaking during a ceremony to commemorate Chad’s 55 independence yesterday, he said there is someone "apparently called Mahamat Daoud who is said to have replaced Abubakar Shekau and he wants to negotiate with the Nigerian government,”

The Nigerian government recently revealed that it had been approached by members of the sect seeking a peace deal.

Shekau was last heard from in March 2015 when Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.