Sierra Leone's government stated that Guinean troops detained several members of a Leonean security team, including a senior officer and took them across the border in an incident near the two countries' frontier.

The arrests occurred on Monday in the border town of Kalieyereh in Falaba District, where members of the armed forces and police were reportedly making bricks for the construction of a border post and accommodation facilities. 

According to Sierra Leone authorities the Guineans also confiscated weapons and ammunition but did not specify how many were taken into Guinea.

Sierra Leone said in a statement that it is actively engaging through established diplomatic and security channels to confirm their location and secure their safe and unconditional release.

Guinea, however, offered a different account, with its defence ministry stating that several dozen Sierra Leonean soldiers entered Guinean territory without authorization on Sunday. It said Guinean forces apprehended 16 of them and seized equipment.

According to the statement issued by Guinea late Tuesday, the detained soldiers and confiscated items were handed over to judicial police authorities pending an investigation.

Story compiled with assistance from wire reports.