A 47-year-old British auditor, Nusrat Osman, has been rescued by Malawian police following a violent confrontation with her captors. Osman, a mother of two who had been living in Malawi for several years, was abducted on September 11 at approximately 12:30 p.m. from outside her residence in the southern city of Blantyre.
The rescue operation concluded late Thursday after an exchange of gunfire. According to law enforcement, the suspects were armed with an AK-47 rifle and a Girsan Regard MC pistol. Four of the alleged kidnappers were killed during the shootout after sustaining injuries that proved fatal upon their arrival at a local medical facility.
Deputy Inspector General Mlowoka Noel Kayira was wounded during the clash while working to secure Osman’s safety. Authorities have confirmed that Kayira is currently receiving hospital treatment and remains in stable condition. The victim’s family has publicly praised the officer’s courage, with her brother, Shobi Jiwa, describing him as a hero for his role in the operation.
Prior to the rescue, the case had triggered significant concern as the family received no ransom demands or updates for several days. Osman’s husband, Nazil Osman, had previously voiced his desperation to local media, stating he had no knowledge of his wife’s whereabouts or the potential motives behind the abduction. Police had earlier issued a public appeal, offering a reward of 30 million Malawi kwacha—approximately £12,950—for information leading to the perpetrators’ arrest and the victim’s safe return.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and police have indicated that further details will be disclosed in due course. It remains unclear if tips from the public directly contributed to the success of the rescue operation.
Although Malawi is not historically known for kidnapping western residents, the country has seen a rise in criminal activity, including burglaries and pickpocketing, attributed to unstable economic conditions. Data from the World Bank highlights that the nation remains one of the world’s poorest, with a population of 22 million and low average annual incomes.
A 2024 report by the US State Department’s diplomatic security service previously noted that while kidnappings in the region are not widespread, past incidents have typically targeted members of the local Asian business community rather than foreign travelers. Following her ordeal, Osman was reported to be safe and in relatively stable spirits. The report also notes that the criminals got shot and were taken to hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.” it read, in the process. The report also notes that he’s the hero of the country,” he said. “He’s the hero of the world, actually, for putting his life at risk and taking a bullet into himself for my sister.”. The report also notes that with a population of about 22 million and an average annual income of just $672, according to the World Bank, the landlocked southern African country is one of the world’s poorest nations. The report also notes that her husband, Nazil Osman, told the local news outlet Nyasa Times: “I don’t know where she is or how she is. The report also notes that her brother told the Sun on Tuesday: “My sister has been missing for five days with no trace or call,” adding that the family could not think of a motive for her kidnapping.
