The attack in Yobe State is believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram
Hours after Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan had said all was being done to tackle the terrorist group - Boko Haram, another attack has taken place in Buni Yadi, Yobe State.
About 40 pupils were murdered in a pre-dawn attack on a school, setting ablaze a locked hostel then shooting and slitting the throats of those who escaped through windows.
Survivors said some of the victims, aged 11 to 18, had been burned alive by the attackers which began around 2am.
Adamu Garba, a teacher, said the attackers first set ablaze the school's administrative block, then moved to the hostels, where they locked students in and firebombed the buildings.
He said: "Students were trying to climb out of the windows and they were slaughtered like sheep by the terrorists, who slit their throats. Others who ran were gunned down." Those who could not escape were burned alive, he added.
President Jonathan condemned "the heinous, brutal and mindless killing of the guiltless students by deranged terrorists and fanatics who have clearly lost all human morality and descended to bestiality."
Yobe State Governor - Ibrahim Gaidam said more troops were needed to contain the militants. "It is unfortunate that up to five hours when this massacre took place, there were no security agents around to stop or contain the situation... I have also been informed that the military here in Yobe State lack adequate number of troops on the ground," he said in a statement.