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Malawi Police Service officials said Nusrat Osman, a 47-year-old British auditor and mother of two, was seized at her Mount Pleasant residence in Blantyre at around 12:30 local time on September 11 by four men travelling in a grey Nissan Dualis with registration number CA 6956. A police statement identified the vehicle and described the daylight abduction, noting that investigators have yet to establish a motive or receive any contact from the perpetrators. According to the authorities, Osman had been working for a local auditing firm at the time of her disappearance, and the force has since mobilised resources to trace her whereabouts while appealing for public assistance.
The Malawi Police Service has offered a reward of 30 million kwacha, equivalent to more than $17,000, for credible information that leads directly to Osman’s rescue and the successful prosecution of those involved, a police spokesperson told reporters. Senior Superintendent Gladys Chiwaula emphasised that all tips would be handled in strict confidence as officers blitz the public with SMS alerts urging anyone with details on the victim or the getaway vehicle to come forward immediately. External reporting from regional outlets confirmed that police have also appealed for calm to prevent the spread of unverified rumours that could hinder the investigation.
The victim’s husband expressed deep distress over the incident in comments to Nyasa Times, stating he had no known conflicts that might explain the abduction. “I don’t know where she is or how she is. My wife is an auditor and I have no issues with anyone,” he was quoted as saying. The family has not received any demands from the kidnappers, according to the police assessment that described the case as remaining unresolved more than three days after the event.
UK government travel advice highlights that occasional kidnappings for ransom occur in Malawi, typically driven by financial gain or other criminal motives, with businesspeople and foreign nationals sometimes targeted. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office overview noted an increased risk for such activity in certain areas, advising heightened vigilance amid broader concerns over urban crime including burglaries and assaults. This latest case aligns with patterns the advisory has flagged in recent years, though specific figures on annual incidents were not detailed in the current guidance.
Investigators continue to pursue multiple lines of inquiry, including analysis of potential witnesses in the Mount Pleasant area where the abduction took place in broad daylight. The police service has distributed contact numbers for tip-offs, including 0999 938 794 and 0999 277 832, as part of efforts to generate leads. Regional coverage indicated that the operation has expanded since the initial statement, reflecting the priority placed on locating the British national and ensuring her safe return to her family.
