British Woman Rescued in Malawi After Nearly a Week in Captivity

A British woman who was kidnapped in Malawi has been rescued after nearly a week in captivity, bringing an end to a search that had prompted an emotional appeal from her family.

Nusrat Osman, 47, was rescued on September 17 during a police operation on the outskirts of Blantyre, in southern Malawi. She was later reunited with her family and taken to hospital for treatment.

Osman, who is originally from Leicester in the United Kingdom, had been abducted on September 11 while driving home in Blantyre’s Mount Pleasant area. Police said several men blocked her vehicle, forced her into another car and drove away.

Her disappearance led to a major search operation. Authorities had offered a reward of around 30 million Malawian kwacha, equivalent to approximately $17,000, for information that could help locate her and identify those responsible.

During the rescue operation, police exchanged gunfire with suspected kidnappers. Authorities initially said four suspects had been killed, but Malawi’s police chief later said two suspects were killed and that officers were continuing to search for two others. The reason for the change in the initial figure was not explained.

A senior police officer involved in the operation was also wounded and was reported to be in stable condition.

Osman was reunited with her family after being rescued. Police said she was receiving medical care, while investigators continued working to establish the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and its motive. No ransom demand had been publicly reported during her disappearance.

Osman lives and works in Malawi and is a mother of two young children. Her family had made public appeals for her safe return during the search.

The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed whether additional people were involved.

Sources:
BBC News – British woman rescued in Malawi shootout
Associated Press – 2 suspects killed as police rescue kidnapped British woman