Nusrat Osman Rescue Ends Malawi Kidnapping
The Nusrat Osman rescue has ended nearly a week of uncertainty after Malawian police freed the 47-year-old British woman during an operation on the outskirts of Blantyre.
Osman was rescued on Thursday after police exchanged gunfire with suspected kidnappers, four of whom were killed during the operation. Police said the group was armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol.
“The criminals got shot and were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to the injuries,” the Malawi Police Service said in a statement.
The operation also left Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira wounded. The senior officer, who took part in the rescue, suffered gunshot injuries and was taken to hospital, where police said he was in a stable condition.
British Woman Malawi Rescue Followed Major Search
Osman was reunited with her family after being freed and was taken to hospital for treatment and physical and mental health assessments, according to local media reports.
Her younger brother, Shobi Jiwa, praised the Malawian police for their efforts in securing her release. Speaking to the UK’s Sun newspaper, he said the family was deeply grateful to officers who had worked to investigate the kidnapping.
Jiwa also paid tribute to Kayira, calling the wounded police chief the family’s “hero” for risking his life during the operation to save Osman.
Police have not released the identities of the four suspected kidnappers who died. Authorities have also not explained how officers located the group or provided further details about the circumstances of the operation.
Nusrat Osman Kidnapping Began in Blantyre
Osman was abducted on 11 September in Blantyre’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Police said four unidentified men blocked her vehicle as she was driving home, forced her into another car and then drove away.
The incident triggered a major search operation in Malawi. Authorities offered a reward of 30 million Malawian kwacha ($17,000; £12,500) for information that could lead to her rescue and the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
The case had attracted particular attention because there had been no known ransom demand or communication from the kidnappers after Osman disappeared. Police had not disclosed a possible motive before her rescue.
Malawi Police Operation Leaves Chief Wounded
Osman is originally from Leicester in the UK and has lived in Malawi for several years. She works for an auditing firm, is married and has two young children.
The UK’s Foreign Office previously confirmed that it was aware of reports that a British national had been abducted in Malawi. It said it was in contact with local authorities over the case.
Before the rescue, Osman’s family made public appeals for her safe return, describing her disappearance as deeply distressing and asking anyone with information to contact the police.
The kidnapping also raised concerns among members of Malawi’s business community and British nationals living in the country. Abductions involving foreign nationals are relatively uncommon in Malawi.
Investigation Continues After Nusrat Osman Rescue
Malawi police have not identified a possible motive or said whether anyone else may have been involved in the kidnapping. Investigators are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding Osman’s abduction and the subsequent police operation.
The deaths of the four suspected kidnappers and the injuries suffered by Kayira are now part of the investigation as authorities work to establish what happened during the exchange of gunfire.
Police have urged the public to remain calm while the investigation continues. For Osman’s family, the rescue brings an end to the immediate search for the British national after nearly a week in captivity.