"The criminals got shot and were rushed to the hospital"
A British woman who was kidnapped in Malawi nearly a week ago has been rescued in a police operation that left four suspected kidnappers dead and a senior police chief injured.
Nusrat Jiwa Osman was rescued on September 17 during an operation on the outskirts of Blantyre.
Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspected kidnappers, who police said were armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol.
In a statement, the Malawi Police Service said:
“The criminals got shot and were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to the injuries.”
Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira, who was involved in the operation, also sustained gunshot injuries and is being treated in hospital.
The police statement said he was in a stable condition.
Nusrat was reunited with her family following the rescue and was also taken to hospital for treatment and physical and mental health assessments.
Her younger brother, Shobi Jiwa, praised the Malawian police for securing her release.
He said the family was deeply grateful for the force’s efforts in investigating the kidnapping.
Shobi also paid tribute to Kayira, describing the police chief as the family’s “hero” for putting his own life at risk to save Osman.
Police have not identified the four suspected kidnappers who were killed or provided further details about how officers located the group.
Nusrat was abducted by four unidentified men in Blantyre’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood on September 11.
Police said she had been driving home when the men blocked her vehicle, forced her into another car and drove away.
Her disappearance prompted a major search operation, with authorities offering a reward of £12,500 for information leading to her rescue and the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Nusrat, who is from Leicester, has lived in Malawi for several years and works for an auditing firm. She is married and has two young children.
The UK Foreign Office previously said that it was aware of reports that a British national had been abducted in Malawi and was in touch with local authorities.
The case had puzzled investigators because police said there had been no known ransom demand or communication from the kidnappers following her disappearance.
Nusrat’s family had made emotional public appeals for her safe return, describing the disappearance as deeply distressing and urging anyone with information to contact police.
The kidnapping also caused concern among Malawi’s business community.
Police have not disclosed a possible motive or said whether they believe other people were involved.
They said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and the subsequent rescue operation.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm while the investigation continues.
