Police called to Campsfield House

9:00am Monday 17th December 2007

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Police have been called to Campsfield House this morning after reports of more disturbances inside the Kidlington detention centre.

Officers were alerted to problems breaking out at 6.20am this morning and have set up a cordon around Campsfield, in in Langford Lane, close to Oxford Science Park and Oxford Airport.

This morning there were claims the disturbance was started when staff went in to remove a man from his cell.

Inmates became angry at his treatment and Bob Hughes, of the group Campaign to Close Campsfield, said CCTV cameras and lights had been broken.

Inmates were now on hunger strike, he added.

Mr Hughes said: "A detainee, Kevin, has called to say that Blue Wing is now devastated: water everywhere, lights and CCTV smashed, guards nowhere in sight, and blue lights either of emergency services or riot squads arriving outside the centre.

"He heard the incident that triggered the disturbance. He says that guards entered the wing earlier this morning and, unusually, locked all the cell doors before entering that of the man they removed - an african.

"I have just spoken to Mr Harris Dukai, one of the two cell-mates of the man whose removal this morning triggered today's events.

"The man was Benin-born Mr Davis Osagie, who had been working as an immigration officer at Edinburgh Airport before a colleague it is presumed informed on him for having false papers himself.

"Mr Dukai says that 10 officers in full riot gear entered the cell with more outside at just after 5.20 this morning.

"Some of the officers used their shields to confine Mr Dukai and his other room mate - Augustine Ekhator - to their beds while the other officers dealt with Mr Osagie.

"During our conversation some detainees were attempting to start fires - unsuccessfully, I assume, but the place was now full of smoke as well as water.

"Mr Dukai told me that detainees are now on hunger strike."

Police have only said so far there was an "ongoing incident".

At the centre there are several fire engines, a heavy police presence, what appear to be prison-style riot officers in black uniforms and shields and paramedics.

Some staff from the centre are reportedly being turned away from work this morning.

In July 26 inmates escaped from the facility.

Last month detainees warned fresh trouble was brewing because of the atmosphere inside Campsfield.