A combined operation involving officers from NT Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Immigration has ended a seven-and-a-half hour protest by a group of Afghan detainees at Darwin's Northern Immigration Detention Centre in Coonawarra.

The protest began at 6.30am after a group of 88 detainees escaped from the centre and sat down on the side of the Stuart Highway and refused to re-enter the facility.

NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner for Greater Darwin, Rob Kendrick, said negotiators had worked cooperatively with the detainees throughout the morning but by early afternoon it was decided to bring the incident to an end.

"Territory and Federal police had surrounded them and just before 2pm our interpreters told them that we would be moving in to take them into custody," he said.

"While we were prepared for any eventuality, I am pleased that the detainees did not resist and we were able to resolve the matter peacefully."

Acting Assistant Commissioner Kendrick said 83 detainees were taken into custody this afternoon and transported to the Darwin Watch House, which has been temporarily designated a Detention Centre. A further five detainees had earlier been taken to hospital with heat related medical conditions.


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