A military armoury in Sierra Leones capital Freetown came under attack on Sunday, the government announced, as it imposed an immediate national curfew.

The government said those attempting to break into the armoury had been repelled. Witnesses told AFP they heard gunshots and explosions in the citys Wilberforce district.

The information ministry said in a statement that it assured the public that the government and our state security forces are in control.

To enable the security forces to continue the process of apprehending the suspects, a nationwide curfew is declared with immediate effect across the country, the ministry said.

No further details were given on the alleged perpetrators of the attack, or their motives.

Sierra Leone, an English-speaking country in West Africa, has been going through a political crisis following presidential and general elections in June this year. (AFP, excluding headline)