The BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says the remote school in Yobe state was attacked overnight when students were in their dormitories.

 

All the victims were teenage boys and 11 others were seriously injured. Most of the school was burned to the ground.

 

Islamist militants have attacked dozens of schools in north-east Nigeria. 

 

Last September, 40 students were killed at an agricultural college during another night-time raid.

 

Teachers at the school in Buni Yadi said the gunmen gathered the female students together before telling them to go away and get married and to abandon their education. 

 

The name Boko Haram means Western education is sin.

 

The group says it aims is to replace Nigeria's political leadership and establish a new state under strict Islamic law. 

 

Nigeria's military said on Tuesday it was pursuing the attackers.

 

"We assure all law-abiding citizens that we will continue to do what is necessary to protect lives and property," a statement said.

 

President Goodluck Jonathan condemned² the killings³, calling them "heinous⁴, brutal⁵ and mindless".

 

Our correspondent says Nigeria's armed forces are facing increasing criticism for failing to protect civilians⁶ or to respond to raids by the militants.

 

Yobe state Governor Ibrahim Gaidam said more troops were needed to contain the militants.

 

"It is unfortunate that up to five hours when this massacre⁷ took place, there were no security agents around to stop or contain the situation," he said in a statement.

点击收听单词发音