The Nigerian army claims to have "fatally wounded" the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, in an air strike targeting a meeting of the Islamist group's commanders, according to The Independent.

Shekau and other senior militants had gathered for prayers on Friday when they were hit by what the Nigerian army called an "air force raid".

It said a number of commanders were confirmed dead, naming them as Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, and said Shekau was "believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders".

It is not the first time the Nigerian army has reported the death of Shekau, who led a break-away faction of Boko Haram when the main bulk of the group declared allegiance to Daesh.

Sopurce: MENA