British Woman Rescued in Malawi in Shootout That Killed Four Suspects
Nusrat Osman was freed in an operation near Blantyre after being kidnapped nearly a week prior.
A British woman, Nusrat Osman, 47, was rescued in Malawi on Thursday during a police operation that resulted in the deaths of four suspected kidnappers and wounded a senior police officer. The operation took place on the outskirts of Blantyre, the country's southern city.
During the exchange of gunfire, police said the suspects were armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol. The Malawi Police Service stated that the criminals sustained gunshot injuries and later died at the hospital. Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira, who participated in the rescue, was also injured and is receiving hospital treatment in stable condition.
Osman, who has lived in Malawi for several years and works for an auditing firm, was reunited with her family. She was taken to the hospital for medical and psychological evaluations following her ordeal. She is married and has two young children.
Osman was abducted on September 11 while driving home in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Blantyre. Unidentified men reportedly blocked her vehicle, forced her into another car, and drove away. The abduction triggered a large-scale search operation, with authorities offering a reward of 30 million Malawian kwacha (approximately $17,000 USD or £12,500 GBP) for information leading to her safe return and the prosecution of those responsible.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it was aware of the incident and was in contact with Malawian authorities. Investigators had been puzzled by the lack of ransom demands or communication from the kidnappers. Osman's family had made public appeals for her safe return.
The kidnapping had raised concerns among Malawi's business community and British expatriates, as abductions of foreign nationals are uncommon in the country. Police have not identified the deceased suspects or released details on how Osman's location was discovered. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the kidnapping and the subsequent rescue. Authorities are urging the public to remain calm as the investigation continues.