British woman who was kidnapped in Malawi rescued by police after shootout

A British woman, Nusrat Osman, was rescued by police in Malawi following a shootout that resulted in the deaths of four alleged kidnappers. Osman was abducted on September 11 outside her home in Blantyre around 12:30 PM. In response to her kidnapping, Malawian police offered a reward of 30 million Malawi kwacha, approximately £12,950, for information leading to her safe return and the arrest of the suspects.
The police announced her rescue late on Thursday, detailing that there was an exchange of gunfire between law enforcement and the kidnappers, who were armed with an AK-47 and a Girsan Regard MC pistol. The police statement indicated that the kidnappers sustained injuries during the shootout and later died in the hospital.
During the operation, Deputy Inspector General Mlowoka Noel Kayira was also shot and is currently hospitalized in stable condition. Osman, a 47-year-old auditor and mother of two, was reported to be safe and "not too shaken" after her experience, according to her brother, Shobi Jiwa. He expressed gratitude towards the Malawian police for their efforts.
Jiwa specifically praised Kayira, calling him the hero of their family and the country for risking his life during the rescue operation. Kidnappings are relatively uncommon in Malawi, although there has been an increase in crimes such as pickpocketing and home burglaries, often involving armed individuals, amid ongoing economic instability.
Malawi is classified as one of the world's poorest countries, with a population of around 22 million and an average annual income of just $672, as reported by the World Bank. A 2024 report by the US State Department noted that kidnappings are not a widespread issue in Malawi, particularly concerning expatriates, who have historically not been significant targets.
Osman, originally from Leicester, had been living in Malawi with her husband and children for several years, working for a local audit firm. Prior to her rescue, her family had not received any communication from the kidnappers, including ransom demands. Her husband, Nazil Osman, expressed concern for her well-being, stating he had no idea of her whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding her abduction.
Her brother had previously mentioned the family's distress over her disappearance, having received no updates for five days. The police have not confirmed whether any information from the reward offer contributed to Osman’s rescue, stating that investigations are ongoing and more details will be released in due time.


Photo provided by : The Guardian


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