Ivorian Defence Minister Paul Koffi Koffi says armed elements from Ghana carried out the attack on Friday that led to the closure of the Ghana Ivorian border.

Mr. Koffi told the BBC at least five attackers died and others fled back over the border.

Ivory Coast has blamed previous attacks on its security forces on supporters of ex-President Laurent Gbagbo, some of whom are in exile in Ghana.

The closure affects the nearly 700km (450-mile) land, sea and air border with Ghana until further notice.

Five assailants were killed and five arrested after the shoot-out.

The other assailants withdrew to Ghanaian territory."One soldier was slightly injured”, he added.

Hours earlier, at least three people were killed when armed men attacked three police stations south of the commercial capital Abidjan officials told the BBC.

It is not clear whether the two incidents are linked.