A British woman, Nusrat Osman, 47, who was kidnapped in Malawi nearly a week ago, has been rescued in a police operation. The operation, which took place on Thursday on the outskirts of Blantyre, resulted in the deaths of four suspected kidnappers and left a senior police chief wounded.
Police stated that officers exchanged gunfire with the suspected kidnappers, who were reportedly armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol. The Malawi Police Service confirmed that the criminals were shot and later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira, who was involved in the operation, sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving hospital treatment, where his condition is stable.
Ms Osman was reunited with her family and taken to hospital for treatment and health assessments. Her younger brother, Shobi Jiwa, expressed gratitude to the Malawian police for their efforts and praised Deputy Inspector General Kayira.
Ms Osman, from Leicester, UK, has lived in Malawi for several years and works for an auditing firm. She was abducted on 11 September by four unidentified men in Blantyre's Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Police said she was driving home when her vehicle was blocked, and she was forced into another car.
Authorities had offered a reward of 30 million Malawian kwacha (£12,500) for information. Police have not identified the suspected kidnappers or disclosed a possible motive, stating that investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.