A British woman kidnapped in Malawi was rescued after a police operation that resulted in a shootout, leaving four of her alleged captors dead. Nusrat Jiwa Osman, 47, was abducted on September 11 outside her home in Blantyre, a city in southern Malawi, after dropping her children off at school.

Ms. Osman, an auditor originally from Leicester, has lived in Malawi for several years with her husband and two children. Her husband, Nazil Osman, told local media that he had no known conflicts or issues that might explain the kidnapping, and the family had received no ransom demands or communication from the kidnappers during the six days she was missing.

Authorities offered a reward of approximately £13,000 (30 million Malawi kwacha) for information leading to her safe return and the arrest of those responsible. The police traced her to the outskirts of Blantyre on September 17. According to the Malawi Police Service, a gunfight ensued when officers moved in to rescue her; the suspects were armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and a pistol. Four kidnappers were shot and later died in hospital. Deputy Inspector General of Police Mlowoka Noel Kayira, who was wounded by gunfire during the rescue, was hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition.

Ms. Osman was found unharmed and taken to a hospital for evaluation. Her family described her as “not too shaken,” with her brother, Shobi Jiwa, expressing deep gratitude to the police, particularly highlighting Kayira’s bravery in risking his life during the operation. “He is the hero of our family. He’s the hero of the country,” Jiwa said.

While Malawi has seen a general increase in crime, including kidnappings and burglaries linked to economic challenges, official sources say that kidnappings targeting foreigners remain rare. A recent report from the US State Department noted that despite some concerns, there have been no recent high-profile abduction cases involving Westerners in the country.

Investigations into the motive and background of the kidnapping remain ongoing. The police have not confirmed if information gleaned from the public reward contributed directly to the rescue. The government and security forces have emphasized their commitment to bringing those responsible to justice while ensuring public safety amid rising concerns about criminal activity in Malawi.