Military officers in West Africa have announced the removal from office of Burkina Faso's leader, and closed all borders indefinitely.

The dismissal of military leader Paul-Henri Damiba, who himself came to power in a coup last January, was announced in a statement read out on national television.

The rebelling military also announced the closure of borders from midnight, as well as the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of the government.

They declared the country's new leader as Captain Ibrahim Traore, adding that a group of officers who helped Mr Damiba seize power had decided to remove him due to his so-called inability to deal with a worsening Islamist insurgency.

Around 15 soldiers in military fatigues and heavy armour appeared on the radio-television broadcaster shortly before 8pm local time and read out the statement.

"We have decided to take our responsibilities, driven by a single ideal: the restoration of security and integrity of our territory," they said.

The statement said Mr Damiba had rejected proposals by the officers to reorganise the army and instead continue with the military structure that had led to the fall of the previous regime.

"Damiba's actions gradually convinced us that his ambitions were diverting away from what we set out to do," it said.

A curfew from 9pm to 5am was announced.

In Brussels, the EU voiced "concern" at the events unfolding in the Burkina capital while the United States said it was "deeply concerned" and was encouraging US citizens to limit movements.

"We call for a return to calm and restraint by all actors," a State Department spokesperson said.

The French foreign ministry told its citizens in the city, believed to be between 4,000 and 5,000 people, to stay home.

National stakeholders will be invited to adopt a new transitional charter and designate a new civilian or military president.

All political and civil society activities have been suspended in the meantime.

Earlier, the government said an "internal crisis" within the army was behind troop deployments in key areas of the capital.

They said negotiations were underway, after shots rang out.

Gunfire was heard around the presidential palace and headquarters of the military, witnesses told AFP.