British woman rescued in Malawi shootout that left four suspected kidnappers dead

British woman Nusrat Osman, 47, was rescued on Thursday after a police operation on the outskirts of Blantyre left four suspected kidnappers dead and a senior officer wounded. Osman had been abducted on 11 September from the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood of Blantyre while driving; four unidentified men blocked her vehicle, forced her into another car and drove away. Police exchanged gunfire with the suspects, who were armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol. According to the Malawi Police Service, "The criminals got changeable and were rushed to the infirmary wherever they succumbed to the injuries," the Malawi Police Service said in a statement. Deputy Inspector General Noel Kayira sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange and is receiving hospital treatment in a stable condition. Osman was reunited with her family and taken to hospital for medical and psychological assessments. The four killed suspects have not been identified, and police have not disclosed how they located the group. Authorities had offered a reward of 30 million Malawian kwacha (approximately $17,000 or £12,500) for information leading to her rescue and the apprehension of those responsible. Osman, a Leicester native who has lived in Malawi for several years and works for an auditing firm, is married with two young children. The UK Foreign Office confirmed it was monitoring the situation and in contact with Malawian officials. Investigators noted the absence of any ransom demand or communication from the kidnappers after her disappearance. Her family had made public appeals for her safe return, describing the ordeal as deeply distressing. The incident raised concern among Malawi’s business community and British nationals residing in the southern African country, where abductions of foreigners are rare. Police have not disclosed a possible motive or indicated whether additional individuals were involved, and investigations continue to establish the full circumstances of the kidnapping and rescue. Officials urged the public to remain calm while the probe proceeds.