A British woman who was abducted in Malawi last week has been safely returned home following a police rescue operation during which a senior officer was wounded. Nusrat Osman, 47, a mother of two from Leicester, was taken by four men in the southern city of Blantyre on Friday while dropping her children off at school.

The kidnappers reportedly seized Osman in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, using a grey Nissan Dualis. The incident sparked widespread concern across Malawi, with local media and social platforms extensively covering the search. Authorities had offered a reward equivalent to approximately £12,800 for information leading to her whereabouts.

During the rescue attempt, Noel Kayira, a senior police officer, was shot and is currently recovering at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre. Kayira has been widely praised in Malawi for his role in securing Osman’s release. Osman’s younger brother, Shobi Jiwa, described him as a hero both for their family and the nation, commending the officer’s courage and dedication. The family released a statement expressing deep gratitude for Kayira’s actions.

Jiwa confirmed Osman had been found unharmed after nearly a week in captivity, noting she was “not too shaken” and remained “a humble soul.” Osman had moved to Malawi due to her husband’s employment and works professionally as an auditor. Her husband told local media that he was unaware of any reason why she might have been targeted.

No motive for the abduction has been identified, and it remains unclear whether any arrests have been made in connection with the case. Inspector General Richard Luhanga, head of Malawi’s police force, indicated that further details would be released in due course.

Malawi has experienced a rise in abductions recently, with reports indicating more than 15 people, including children, were kidnapped and later found dead in February alone. The country’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has issued warnings about criminal kidnappings targeting individuals for ransom, often driven by financial motives or other criminal activities.