Who are the 'Kingdom of Kubala' and why have they been arrested?

After months of living in woodland in the Scottish Borders, a self-proclaimed African tribe has been evicted and arrested.

The self-titled Kingdom of Kubala have been banned from moving back to the private land in Jedburgh they have called their own since May.

Kofi Offeh, known as King Atehene, Jean Gasho, known as Queen Nandi, and Kaura Taylor, who goes by the “handmaiden” Asnat, have made global news.

The group have shared their lives through social media, sparking backlash from locals and forcing authorities to respond.

Edinburgh & East

‘African tribe’ evicted from Scottish woodland and arrested

The Kingdom of Kubala have been banned from moving back to the land in Jedburgh.

Several incidents have been reported in the woods, including fires and altercations. They have also received food and gifts from supporters.

The Kingdom of Kubala say the land is rightfully theirs and that they are reclaiming what was taken from their ancestors 400 years ago.

A number of eviction notices were served to the group, who say they do not recognise the courts.

When served with a notice to vacate last month, they simply moved their campsite some yards away over a fence to a neighbouring plot of land owned by the council.

It was then ruled that the trio would not be able to return to the original plot of land from which they were evicted.

Last week, the court also granted an order banning them from council-owned land, including the area where they were living.

On Thursday, police and immigration officers escorted Offeh and Taylor into vans and arrested them on suspicion of immigration offences.

Who are the King, Queen and Handmaiden?

Kofi Offeh, known as King Atehene and Jean Gasho, known as Queen Nandi, are husband and wife.

Their “handmaiden”, Asnat, is Kaura Taylor from Texas, who has been reported missing by her family in the US.

However, the 21-year-old said in a video message she wanted to be left alone and was “an adult, not a helpless child”.

They claim they are a lost tribe of Hebrews, with their King descended from David the Messiah, and say their ancestors were cast out when Elizabeth I deported native black Jacobites.

Offeh said: “We live a very simple life of returning to innocence.

“We are living a simple life of relying daily on the creator for food, shelter and clothing.

“We live in a tent without walls, but we are not afraid of anyone, for we have the protection of the creator, Yahowah.

“But the Kingdom of Kubala cannot be destroyed, for we are helped by the creator of the heavens and the earth, our God. Until then, no one will be able to destroy the Kingdom of Kubala.”

Gasho, who is a mother of seven, said: “According to our Prophet Atehene, Jerusalem is in Scotland, and that he is the seed and offspring of David, the Messiah.

“The old world is going, the Second Exodus has begun, only those who live off grid, in Tabernacles, will be saved, as we enter the Millennium Kingdom of Kubala, and the world is left behind.”