A group of armed individuals attacked Heipang village in Plateau state, Nigeria, early Thursday morning, killing at least 21 people and injuring seven others.

The assailants, who arrived in the village in the middle of the night, opened fire on sleeping residents. Most of the victims were caught off guard and were unable to escape.

The Berom Youth Movement, a local youth organization, confirmed the death toll and said that the injured were being treated at a nearby hospital.

The police have acknowledged the attack but have not released any details about the perpetrators.

Heipang village is located approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) away from Jos, the capital of Plateau state. The region has been plagued by violence in recent years, with attacks on villages by armed groups becoming increasingly common.

The residents of Heipang have blamed the attack on Fulani herders, who have been involved in a long-running conflict with farming communities over access to land and water resources. This conflict has contributed to a cycle of violence in the region that has lasted for decades.

Plateau state has become one of the epicenters of this violence, with the death toll in the state surpassing 100 individuals in recent months.

The attacks have raised concerns about the ability of the Nigerian government to protect its citizens from violence. President Bola Tinubu, who was elected earlier this year, has promised to put an end to the violence, but so far his efforts have been unsuccessful.

The Heipang attack is a reminder of the ongoing violence in Nigeria and the challenges that the government faces in protecting its citizens. (ILKHA)