BRITISH WOMAN RESCUED AFTER KIDNAPPING AS TWO SUSPECTS ARE KILLED IN MALAWI SHOOTOUT
British national Nusrat Osman has been rescued safely after being kidnapped in Blantyre, Malawi. Police initially said four suspected kidnappers were killed during the rescue operation but later corrected the figure to two, with two additional suspects still being sought.
A British woman kidnapped in Malawi has been rescued safely following an armed police operation that left two suspected kidnappers dead and a senior police officer wounded.
Malawi Police identified the woman as 47 year old Nusrat Osman, a mother of two who was abducted in the southern city of Blantyre on September 11.
Authorities initially reported that four suspects had been killed during the rescue operation. However, Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga later corrected the figure, saying two suspects were killed while police continue searching for two others.
Osman has been reunited with her family following the rescue.
WOMAN ABDUCTED IN BLANTYRE
Police said Osman was abducted around lunchtime on September 11 after four men travelling in a grey vehicle intercepted her in Blantyre.
She is originally from Leicester in the United Kingdom and reportedly works for an auditing firm in Malawi.
The disappearance triggered a major police investigation and public appeal for information.
Authorities offered a reward of 30 million Malawi kwacha for credible information that could help locate Osman and apprehend those responsible.
POLICE OPERATION ENDS IN SHOOTOUT
The rescue operation took place on Thursday after investigators tracked the suspected kidnappers.
Police said the suspects were armed with an AK 47 rifle and a pistol.
A shootout followed during the operation.
Two suspected kidnappers were fatally shot, according to the latest police account.
A senior Malawi police officer was also wounded during the exchange and was taken to hospital, where authorities said he was in stable condition.
POLICE CORRECT INITIAL DEATH TOLL
Malawian authorities initially announced that four suspected kidnappers had been killed.
Police subsequently revised that account.
Inspector General Luhanga said on Friday that two suspects were killed and that authorities were continuing their search for two other suspects.
No explanation was immediately provided for the discrepancy between the initial and updated figures.
The revised police account means earlier reports stating that all four suspected kidnappers were killed are no longer current.
OSMAN REUNITED WITH FAMILY
Police said Osman was safe following the operation and had been reunited with her family.
The successful rescue brought an end to a six day search that had attracted attention both inside Malawi and in Britain.
The motive behind the kidnapping has not yet been established publicly.
Police investigations are continuing as authorities search for the remaining suspects and examine the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
