African Tribe Leader Deported After Eviction from Scottish Borders Woodland

The Home Office has confirmed the deportation of Kofi Offeh, a Ghanaian man who led a self-styled African tribe in the Scottish Borders. Offeh, known as King Atehene, established a camp with two women in a wooded area near Jedburgh last year. The group claimed to be reclaiming land said to have been taken from their ancestors 400 years ago, and they refused to accept the authority of local courts.

Eviction Attempts and Online Presence

Scottish Borders Council had previously tried to remove the trio from a hillside site above Jedburgh in July. After moving about a mile farther into the woods, near an industrial estate, the group continued to resist. In September, the landowners, David and Mary Palmer, secured a court order for eviction, but the tribe set up a new encampment just meters away, beyond a wire fence on council-owned land.

During their time in the Borders, they said they were reclaiming land stolen from their ancestors 400 years ago and refused to recognise the powers of the courts to evict them.

Despite ongoing legal battles, the final eviction occurred in October. A coordinated early morning operation involving police, immigration officers, and sheriff officers led to the removal of the group. Council staff later transported their belongings, including blankets, clothing, and food, into a refuse lorry.

Departure and Public Attention

Offeh’s group has drawn global media coverage due to their substantial social media following, with over 100,000 followers on TikTok and Facebook. Earlier this week, local journalists captured Offeh arriving at Kotoko International Airport in Accra, Ghana. Jean Gasho, from Zimbabwe, who identifies as Queen Nandi, was seen exiting the airport with her head covered, remaining discreet in the back of a pickup truck.

Taylor, a U.S. resident, was initially detained during the eviction but was later released. The removal process was livestreamed on TikTok, showing Offeh and his companion being handcuffed by immigration officers as they were led from their campsite.