Kubala, kubala - evicted! Self-proclaimed 'king' detained as police and immigration officers swoop
Last updated 2nd Oct 2025
Police and immigration officers have removed a self-styled African tribe from woods in Jedburgh.
They moved in on the so-called Kingdom of Kubala at 8am this morning (Thursday) - less than 24 hours after a court order was issued, banning them from the land.
It comes as the mum of one member of the trio - Kaura Taylor - demands authorities return her to her home in Texas.
Melba Whitehead is desperate to get her back. She told Sky News: "(They've) totally brain washed her. I hear her say things like they're the only ones who care for her - that's a cult! The first thing a cult would normally do is separate you from those that love you."
Leader Kofi Offeh, 36, the self-proclaimed King Atehene, was led away in cuffs, while his wife Jean Gasho, 43, who calls herself Queen Nandi, live-streamed the moment online.
21-year-old Taylor, who calls herself Asnat the handmaiden, was also placed in cuffs and taken to a separate van.
The group has previously said it was reclaiming land stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago.
Jean was later asked to collect their belongings and warned she would be arrested too if she returned to the illegal encampment.
Scottish Borders Council's deputy leader, Jedburgh and District councillor Scott Hamilton, said they had to go.
"This, quite frankly, was ludicrous," he said. "It broke laws, it broke the rules and, as landowners, we took action, as well as private landowners, to ensure this action today.
"We had adult protective services in there, we had the police in there, they would never engage. So we never knew what their next move was going to be. All they wanted was publicity, media, and to spread their hate message."
All officers have now left the site. But it's understood a Ghanaian male and an American female were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to comment while an investigation is ongoing.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed: “We assisted our partner agencies in the Oxnam Road area of Jedburgh on Thursday."
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