British woman kidnapped in Malawi ‘rescued and reunited with family’

18th August, 2026 | News

British woman Nusrat Osman, 47, has been rescued after being abducted by four men in Blantyre, Malawi, according to the Malawi Police Service.

Osman, a mother of two who reportedly works for a local auditing firm and originally comes from Leicester in the UK, was abducted on 11 September at about 12:30pm in the Mount Pleasant area of Blantyre.

Police said the suspects were believed to have used a grey Nissan Dualis during the abduction. At the time, the kidnappers had not contacted Osman’s family or the authorities, and the motive for the abduction remained unclear.

The Malawi Police Service had offered a reward of 30 million Malawi Kwacha, approximately £12,800, for credible information that could assist with locating Osman and identifying those responsible.

She was eventually rescued on Thursday during what police described as an intelligence-led operation in the Mpemba/Chadzunda area, just outside Blantyre.

According to police, officers engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle during the operation. The suspects were reportedly armed with an AK-47 rifle and a Girsan MC pistol. The four kidnappers were wounded during the exchange of fire and taken to hospital, where they later died from their injuries.

A senior police officer was also injured during the operation. Dr Mlowoka Noel Kayira, deputy inspector general of the Malawi Police Service, suffered gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital. Police said he was in stable condition.

Osman’s brother, Shobi Jiwa, confirmed her rescue to Malawi-based Nation Online and said the deputy inspector general was among those wounded during the operation.

The rescue has been welcomed by members of the community and public officials. Atupele Muluzi, a member of parliament representing the nearby Machinga region and a native of Blantyre, commended the Malawi Police Service for the operation and acknowledged the risks involved.

Police said investigations into the kidnapping remain ongoing, with further details expected as inquiries continue. Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive behind Osman’s abduction or provided further information about the suspects.