Arrests made as self-styled ‘African tribe’ finally evicted from Scottish woods
The trio previously said they were reclaiming land stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago
Two people have been arrested over suspected immigration offences as a self-styled “African tribe” was legally barred from returning to a private site in the Scottish Borders.
The development came after their eviction and subsequent move to council-owned land.
The group, known as the Kingdom of Kubala, had occupied woods near Jedburgh for weeks before receiving an eviction notice in September for being on private property.
The trio then relocated their camp to an adjacent plot owned by the local council.
On Wednesday, Selkirk Sheriff Court ruled they could not reoccupy the original private land from which they were first removed.
The group is made up of leader Kofi Offeh, 36, the self-proclaimed King Atehene, his wife Jean Gasho, 43, who calls herself Queen Nandi, and “handmaiden” Kaura Taylor, who calls herself Asnat.
Officers from Immigration Enforcement and Police Scotland went to the site on Thursday.
It is understood a Ghanaian man and an American woman were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.
Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton said police, sheriff officers and other agencies went to the camp on Thursday morning and evicted the trio.
Mr Hamilton, deputy leader of Scottish Borders Council, said there was a “heavy police presence”.
He said: “The site is currently being cleared by the council.
“There are still a few things at play with regard to the situation, but I think this morning has been a good result for the community and for them as well in terms of the outcome.”
A map of Jedburgh:
The trio previously said they were reclaiming land stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to comment while an investigation is ongoing.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We assisted our partner agencies in the Oxnan Road area of Jedburgh on Thursday October2.”
Meanwhile a mother in Texas has begged authorities in Scotland to deport her “brainwashed” daughter back to the States.
Melba Whitehead says her daughter, Kaura Taylor, was lured away from Dallas to join the “cult”.
Images shared online revealed that Ms Taylor has been living as the group’s “handmaiden”.
Ms Whitehead is claiming that her daughter was groomed online, following a family dispute shortly after the Covid pandemic.
“They utilised the fact that she was angry to encourage her to get away.
“They used the fact she was penniless.
“They utilised the funds that they had at their disposal to send for her. They made that happen,” Ms Whitehead told Sky News.
She also said that her daughter had been “brainwashed” and that she is “under someone else’s spell”.