A Texas woman has told Sky News an African “cult” brainwashed, lured and coerced her daughter to move 4,000 miles away to a Scottish forest by preying on her vulnerabilities.

Aspiring lawyer Kaura Taylor, 21, was reported missing from Dallas in May 2025.

Her family then spotted an online image of her living as a “handmaiden” in the so-called Kingdom of Kubala in Jedburgh, Scotland.

Sky News can reveal Scottish authorities are assessing a report involving welfare and safety concerns.

Speaking exclusively in her first on-camera interview from Texas, Kaura’s mother, Melba Whitehead, pleaded for authorities to urgently deport her daughter to the US so they can be reunited.

In a separate development, Councillor Scott Hamilton, deputy leader of the local authority, said police, sheriff officers and other agencies went to the camp on Thursday morning and evicted the trio.

He told Sky News: “So, this group obviously arrived in Jedburgh a number of months ago. They set up camp here.

“They were originally on Scottish Borders Council land, and they set up camp and claimed they were a Kingdom of Kubala. And this, quite frankly, was ludicrous.

“It broke laws. It broke the rules. And as landowners we took action, as well as private landowners, to ensure this outcome today.”

The group, dressed head to toe in traditional African attire, is run by Kofi Offeh – who refers to himself as “The King” – and his partner Jean Gasho, who goes by “The Queen”.

Both lived a troubled existence in Stockton-on-Tees, in northeast England, prior to camping in the Scottish borders.

A video online shows Mr Offeh claiming ownership of Kaura and boasting “I bought you at a price” before she swears allegiance to her “masters”.

The camp, on the edge of an industrial estate, is at the centre of a legal battle after eviction notices were served to remove them from private and council land.

‘Under a spell’

Ms Whitehead alleges she became embroiled in a family dispute following the COVID pandemic.

She said the “cult” groomed her daughter, who was 19 at the time, on social media, before buying a one-way ticket to the UK for a new life in the woods.

The 45-year-old told Sky News: “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.”

Asked if she believes Kaura was coerced into leaving the US, Melba Whitehead said: “I know so. She’s totally brainwashed. This is a cult.

“The first thing a cult is known to do is separate you from those that love you.”

She continued: “This isn’t just another young adult rebelling. This isn’t just another young adult who’s mad at the world. The difference is she’s under someone else’s spell in another country.”

‘I can run away if I wish’

Sky News has interviewed Kaura Taylor on her own, away from the so-called Kingdom of Kubala.

She denied being coerced and insisted: “Others are not my concern. People who care about my best interests know why I am here.”

The 21-year-old said “the only things that matter are the camp, the trees and the creepy crawlies” – as she denied being in a cult and dismissed her family’s concerns.

When pressed on how she got to the UK as a cash-strapped teenager, she said she had fled a “rough background” and arrived via a “divine form of transport”.

Ms Taylor said she had the ability to “run” away if she wanted, but had no intention of doing so.

Police Scotland told Sky News that officers were looking to “engage with the individual concerned” after a report was made raising concerns.

“I don’t know why Scotland is allowing this foolishness,” said Melba Whitehead. “I believe that Jean and Kofi are opportunistic. I believe there are leeches and vultures for my daughter.”

‘Washed by righteousness’

Jean Gasho and Kofi Offeh denied the allegations when Sky News returned to the woods seeking a response.

When asked if he was operating a cult that was brainwashing Kaura, Mr Offeh replied: “This is the Kingdom … brainwashing is the best thing ever to happen to man if it is coming from the right source. For everyone’s brain needs to be washed by righteousness.”

He was questioned on whether he had coerced the 21-year-old but repeatedly dodged giving a direct answer.

He said: “I am the King of Kubala, and all nations belong to me. Everyone you see bows before me because I am the chosen one. They are not coerced, they are called.”

Jean Gasho refused to answer around a dozen questions unless she was referred to as a queen.

“When you address me as the Queen then I will answer your question,” she said.

She then starting singing a traditional African song in an attempt to drown out further questions.

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‘I was once her’

Rachael Reign established a London-based grassroots group advocating for victims of spiritual abuse and coercive religions.

The Surviving Universal UK founder has become an expert after she was groomed in a church-based cult in the British capital from age 13.

Ms Reign told Sky News the Kingdom of Kubala has all the hallmarks of a cult, but it was difficult to help someone who doesn’t recognise they need support.

She said: “I believe it to be a cult. She had particular vulnerabilities, and she was searching for a sense of community and purpose, and that is how cults target people.

“It is completely normalised. That is her reality, and any kind of critique or grievances is seen as a personal attack on her identity and her community. But she is at risk, she’s been isolated, and she needs to be safeguarded.”

Ms Reign added: “There has to be greater understanding around coercive control in relation to cults.

“Currently coercive control is only recognised within domestic settings, which means that victims of coercive control outside of domestic settings fall completely under the radar. There has to be some recognition in terms of legislation.”

The Home Office has been approached for comment.

A man has been shot by police after an attack at a synagogue left two dead in Manchester.

The attack, which comes on the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar – Yom Kippur – involved a car and a knife, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

At least three other people have been seriously injured.

Here’s everything we know so far.

How did the attack happen?

Police received a call from a member of the public at 9.31am on Thursday morning, who said a man had been stabbed and a car has been driven towards members of the public at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall.

Police received further reports from the public in the minutes that followed, saying that a security guard had been attacked with a knife.

The synagogue is on Middleton Road in Crumpsall – a neighbourhood about three miles north of Manchester’s city centre.

The force said a “large number of people” were worshipping at the synagogue at the time of the attack.

A police spokesperson praised the “quick response” of a witness to the attack which allowed police to take “swift action” to prevent the offender “from entering the synagogue”.

Police shoot man at the scene

A man believed to be the offender was shot by firearms officers at the scene at 9.38am.

Video posted on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone laying on the ground outside the front of the synagogue. The armed officers shouted at onlookers to “get back” and “move on”.

The person on the ground is seen starting to get up before there is the sound of a gunshot and they fall to the ground.

Another person was shown lying motionless on the ground outside the synagogue gates.

In its most recent update, GMP said the man who is believed to be the offender was “believed to be deceased” after being shot by police.

A photograph has emerged on social media that appears to show the suspected attacker outside the synagogue.

Sky News has cross-referenced the image with video from the scene of the attack.

What do we know about the victims?

Police initially said four people were injured after the attack and were being treated for injuries “caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds”.

They later confirmed that two victims had died at the scene, and said that three other members of the public were in a serious condition.

What is happening now?

Armed police officers, emergency response teams and fire crews are at the scene, with police helicopters flying overhead.

A bomb disposal unit is also at the scene, as police have said the suspect’s condition cannot be confirmed due to “suspicious items on his person”.

Middleton Road has been closed between Wilton Road and Crumpsall Lane, the Manchester Evening News reported, adding a police cordon is in place.

North West Ambulance Service said in a statement: “Following reports of an incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene.

“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services.

“Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”

Two people have been killed – and a suspect is believed to have died after being shot by police – following an attack at a synagogue in Manchester on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.

Greater Manchester Police said a security guard was attacked with a knife outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall – and several others were injured after they were attacked and a car was driven at members of the public.

The force later confirmed two people had died – and a third person, believed to be the offender who was shot by firearms officers – was also understood to be deceased.

Three other members of the public remain in a serious condition.

Officers were deployed to the “major incident” on Thursday morning – and the force declared “Plato” – the national code-word used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack”.

Video posted on social media appeared to show police officers pointing guns at someone laying on the ground outside the front of the synagogue.

The armed officers shouted at onlookers to “get back” and “move on”.

The person on the ground is seen starting to get up before there is the sound of a gunshot and they fall to the ground.

Another person was shown lying motionless on the ground outside the synagogue gates with blood near their head

“Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender,” a police spokesperson said.

Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and treated people for “injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wounds”.

The spokesperson praised the “quick response” of a witness to the attack which allowed police to take “swift action” to prevent the offender “from entering the synagogue”.

They urged anyone with images or footage of the incident to share them directly with the force.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” and “absolutely shocked” by the attack and is set to fly home early from a meeting of European leaders in Denmark to chair an emergency Cobra meeting.

He added “additional police assets are being deployed to synagogues across the country”.

The King said: “My wife and I have been deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack in Manchester, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services.”

A white lorry marked “bomb disposal” later arrived at the scene and went behind the police cordon outside the synagogue – where there were also police officers dressed in black fatigues and carrying machine guns.

The streets surrounding the building were also closed with more police cars and vans, sirens baring, racing down neighbouring roads.

North West Ambulance Service said in a statement: “Following reports of an incident on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, the trust has dispatched resources to the scene.

“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services.”

A Jewish man outside the synagogue said: “It is the holiest day of the year and we get this. There is no place for Jews in Britain anymore. It’s over.”

The Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said it was an “appalling attack”.

Dave Rich, of the CST, added: “Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It’s a very solemn day and synagogues across the country will be full throughout the day.

“There’s always a significant security operation in place between police and CST across the Jewish community on all major Jewish festivals.”

In terms of importance in the religious year, he said it is similar to Christmas Day for Christians, but is a day of solemnity and fasting rather than celebration.

Sky News’ North of England correspondent Katie Barnfield said she had spoken to some members of the Jewish community in Crumpsall who told her they were “shocked” and “terrified” by what had happened at the synagogue.

“One man told me several of his friends and family were still inside – though he knows they are safe,” she said.

“Another said this is an extremely tolerant community, where people of many faiths including Jews and Muslims have lived side by side for years, and he is stunned by what has taken place.”

The Israeli embassy condemned the incident, describing it as “abhorrent and deeply distressing”.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said the “immediate danger appears to be over” after reports of a “serious incident” in Crumpsall, north of the city.

He told BBC Radio Manchester: “It is a serious incident. I can give some reassurance immediately to people that that immediate danger appears to be over and Greater Manchester Police have dealt with it very quickly.”

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