A British woman kidnapped in Malawi has been rescued nearly a week after her abduction, following a police operation in which four suspected kidnappers were killed and a senior police officer sustained gunshot wounds.
Nusrat Osman, 47, was rescued on Thursday on the outskirts of Blantyre, southern Malawi, during an exchange of gunfire between police and the suspected kidnappers, according to the Malawi Police Service.
The police said the suspects were armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol during the confrontation.
“The criminals got shot and were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to the injuries,” the Malawi Police Service said in a statement.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira, who participated in the operation, was also shot and taken to hospital.
Police said he was in stable condition.
Following her rescue, Osman was reunited with her family and taken to hospital for treatment as well as physical and mental health assessments, according to local media reports.
Her younger brother, Shobi Jiwa, praised the Malawian police for their efforts in securing her release.
Speaking to the UK’s Sun newspaper, Jiwa said the family was deeply grateful to the police for investigating the kidnapping.
He also described Kayira as the family’s “hero” for risking his life during the operation to rescue Osman.
The police have not released the identities of the four suspects killed in the operation or explained how officers tracked them down.
Investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue.
Osman, who is from Leicester in the UK, was abducted on September 11 in Blantyre’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood.
Police said she was driving home when four unidentified men blocked her vehicle, forced her into another car and drove away.
Authorities had offered a 30 million Malawian kwacha ($17,000; £12,500) reward for information that could lead to her rescue and the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Osman 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 confirmed that it was aware of reports concerning the abduction of a British national and was in contact with Malawian authorities.
The case had raised questions among investigators because there had been no known ransom demand or communication from the kidnappers after Osman’s disappearance. Her family had also made emotional appeals for her safe return.
Police have not disclosed the possible motive for the kidnapping or whether other people may have been involved.
They urged the public to remain calm as investigations into the incident continue.
