British woman rescued in Malawi after shootout that killed four alleged kidnappers

Malawian police rescued British woman Nusrat Osman, who was abducted in the city of Blantyre last week. Four alleged kidnappers were killed in a shootout during the operation.

Osman, a 47-year-old auditor and mother of two, is safe and was described by her brother as “not too shaken” after the ordeal. She was abducted at about 12:30pm on 11 September outside her home.

Deputy inspector general of police Mlowoka Noel Kayira was wounded and is in stable condition in hospital. Police said the kidnappers had an AK47 rifle and a Girsan Regard MC pistol; those wounded in the exchange were taken to hospital, where they later died.

Family received no ransom demand

Before Osman was rescued, her family had received no news from her and no contact from kidnappers demanding a ransom. Her husband, Nazil Osman, told a local news outlet that he did not know where she was or how she was; the family also said it could not identify a possible motive.

Police had offered a reward of 30m Malawi kwacha, about £12,950, for information leading to Osman’s rescue and the arrest of those responsible. Police did not say whether information submitted in response to the reward had helped locate her, and said the investigation was continuing.

Kidnappings uncommon in Malawi

Osman is originally from Leicester, worked for a local audit firm and had lived in Malawi with her husband and children for several years. Her brother thanked the police and singled out Kayira as a hero to the family and the country.

Kidnappings are rare in Malawi, although pickpocketing and house burglaries, sometimes involving armed men, have increased in recent years. A 2024 US State Department diplomatic security report said kidnappings were not a widespread concern in the country.