Africa18 September, 20262 min read
Malawi Police Rescue British Woman Nusrat Osman, Shoot Dead Four Suspects in Blantyre
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Nusrat Osman, 47, rescued by Malawi police in Blantyre after kidnapping. Four suspects were fatally shot during the rescue operation.
6 outlets told this the same way.
Osman rescued in Blantyre
Police in Malawi said four suspects were fatally shot in a police operation that rescued British woman Nusrat Osman, 47, in the southern city of Blantyre.
ABC News reported that Osman was abducted around lunchtime on Sept. 11 in Blantyre and that the operation took place late Thursday, with the woman safe and reunited with her family.
The Malawi Police Service said officers exchanged gunfire with kidnappers armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol, and that Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira was wounded and in stable condition in hospital.
BBC said Osman was freed on Thursday during an operation on the outskirts of Blantyre, and that she was also taken to hospital for treatment and for physical and mental health assessments.
Family praises Kayira
Osman’s younger brother, Shobi Jiwa, praised the Malawian police for securing her release and thanked officers involved in the investigation, describing Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira as the family’s "hero" for risking his own life during the rescue. BBC quoted Jiwa telling the UK’s Sun newspaper that the family was deeply grateful for the force's efforts in investigating the kidnapping, after police said the four suspected kidnappers had not been identified.
The Malawi Police Service statement quoted by both Asian Image and BBC said, "The criminals got shot and were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to the injuries," as officers exchanged gunfire with the suspected kidnappers. Sky News added that the Malawi police put out a statement saying Osman was rescued in Mpemba/Chadzunda, just outside of Blantyre, during an "intelligence led police operation".
Reward, motive, and investigation
Authorities said the motive was not clear and that the suspects had not contacted Osman’s family or authorities, while police continued investigating the full circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and rescue. ABC News reported that authorities had offered a reward of about $17,000 for information leading to Osman’s rescue and the arrest and conviction of the kidnappers, and that police were still investigating the motive behind Osman's abduction.
“Asked byCapital FMabout Kayira’s condition, the Vice-President said: ‘He is fine.’”
BBC said authorities offered a reward of 30 million Malawian kwacha ($17,000; £12,500) for information leading to her rescue and the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Nyasa Times reported that Malawi’s Vice-President Dr Jane Ansah visited Deputy Inspector General of Police for Operations Dr Mlowoka Noel Kayira in hospital and told Capital FM, "He is fine," after his shooting during the rescue operation in Chadzunda.