British Woman Rescued in Malawi Gunfight

A 47-year-old British woman kidnapped in Malawi was freed during a police operation near Blantyre that resulted in the deaths of four suspected kidnappers and left a senior police officer wounded, authorities said.

Nusrat Osman was rescued on Thursday at the outskirts of the southern city, Malawi Police Service said. Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspects during the operation, the force said.

Police Operation

Police said the men were armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol. The Malawi Police Service said the four suspected kidnappers were shot and taken to hospital, where they later died.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira, who took part in the operation, was also injured by gunfire and was being treated in hospital. The police statement said he was in a stable condition.

Osman was reunited with her family following the rescue and was taken to hospital for medical treatment as well as physical and mental health assessments, local media reported.

Injuries and Family Response

Her younger brother, Shobi Jiwa, thanked the Malawian police for securing her release, telling the UK tabloid the Sun that the family was grateful for the force’s efforts to investigate the kidnapping.

He also described Kayira as the family’s “hero” for putting himself at risk to try to save Osman, the report said.

Police have not released the names of the four suspected kidnappers who were killed, nor have they given further details on how officers located the group.

Abduction and Search Efforts

Osman was abducted by four unidentified men on 11 September in Blantyre’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Police said she was driving home when the men blocked her vehicle, forced her into another car and drove away.

Her disappearance triggered a major search operation. Authorities offered a reward of 30 million Malawian kwacha, about $17,000 and £12,500, for information leading to her rescue and to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Investigators said the case had been puzzling because there was no known ransom demand or communication from the kidnappers after she was reported missing.

Osman, who is from Leicester in the UK, has lived in Malawi for several years and works for an auditing firm. She is married and has two young children.

Foreign Office Updates and Ongoing Probe

The UK Foreign Office told the BBC earlier that it was aware of reports a British national had been abducted in Malawi and that it was in contact with local authorities.

Osman’s family made public appeals for her safe return, describing the disappearance as deeply distressing and urging anyone with information to contact police.

The kidnapping also raised concerns among Malawi’s business community and among British nationals living in the country, where abductions of foreign nationals are relatively uncommon.

Police said they had not disclosed a possible motive and had not indicated whether they believed others were involved. They said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances of the kidnapping and the subsequent rescue operation, and they urged the public to remain calm as enquiries continue.

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19 September 2026