Key facts
- British woman Nusrat Osman, 47, was rescued in Malawi on Thursday.
- Osman was kidnapped on September 11 by four unidentified men.
- A police operation resulted in a shootout with the suspected kidnappers.
- Four suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation.
- Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira was wounded and is in stable condition.
- Osman was taken to hospital for treatment and assessments.
A British woman, Nusrat Osman, 47, was rescued on Thursday in Malawi following a police operation that involved a shootout and left four suspected kidnappers dead. Osman had been abducted nearly a week prior, on September 11, by four unidentified men as she was driving home in Blantyre. The suspects blocked her vehicle, forced her into another car, and drove away. The Malawi Police Service stated that officers exchanged gunfire with the armed suspects, who succumbed to their injuries after being rushed to the hospital. Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira, who was involved in the operation, sustained gunshot injuries and is reportedly in stable condition. Osman was reunited with her family and also received medical attention for physical and mental health assessments. Police have not identified the deceased suspects or provided further details on how they located the group. The kidnapping had prompted a major search operation, with authorities offering a reward of 30 million Malawian kwacha ($17,000; £12,500) for information. Osman, originally from Leicester, UK, has lived in Malawi for several years and works for an auditing firm. The UK Foreign Office confirmed it was aware of the reports and in contact with local authorities. Investigators were puzzled by the lack of a ransom demand or communication from the kidnappers. The incident caused concern among the business community and British nationals in Malawi, where such abductions are uncommon. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the kidnapping and rescue.