A military armoury in Sierra Leone's capital Freetown came under attack on Sunday morning in a suspected coup attempt, the government announced, as it imposed an immediate national curfew.
The government said those attempting to break into the armoury at a major army barracks had been repelled, but the public were asked to stay at home.
Witnesses say they heard gunshots and explosions in the city's Wilberforce district, where the armoury is located as well as a number of embassies in the capital.
Other witnesses said they heard exchanges of fire near a barracks in Murray Town district, home to the navy, as well as outside another military site in Freetown.
“In the early hours of Sunday, some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armoury at the Wilberforce barracks. The have been rebuffed,” information minister Chernor Bah said in the statement.
"The public is assured that the government and our state security forces are in control," Information Minister Chernor Bah wrote in a "public notice".
"To enable the security forces to continue the process of apprehending the suspects, “A nationwide curfew has been declared with immediate effect … We strongly advise citizens to stay indoors,”," the statement added.
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