Twelve (12) alleged land guards were detained in Gambaga, in the North East Region, along with a stash of weapons.
All 12 individuals have now been prosecuted by Nalerigu police prosecutors for violations of the new Vigilantism and Related Offenses Act.
The accused were detained during a Tuesday altercation with several Gambaga locals who were allegedly protesting the seizure of communal land.
The highly armed land guards reportedly opened fire on the protesting villagers who stormed the disputed territory to execute a high court order, injuring one person with a bullet wound.
The 12 armed men, including the private developer known only as Tanko Balewa, were taken into custody by a combined team of security personnel on Wednesday.
A thousand pieces of live ammunition, two pump action rifles, two AK-47 rifles, a foreign handgun, three machetes, and other hostile items were also discovered and seized by the security officials.
In addition to five charges of violations committed under the Vigilantism Act, the defendants are also accused of possessing weapons and ammunition.
On Thursday in Nalerigu, they appeared in court and were given bail.
Following the defendants' release by the court, tension is still high in Gambaga town. The community will sever relations with the private developer and his family, according to the chief linguist.