Family of British mother kidnapped by gunmen in Malawi say they have no idea why she was taken and have heard nothing in five days
The family of Nusrat Osman, a 47-year-old British mother from Leicester, have made a public appeal after she was abducted by four armed men in Blantyre, Malawi, five days ago with no contact since. Her brother, Shobi Jiwa, said the family has no idea why she was targeted, describing her as a well-liked auditor with no known enemies who is involved in charity work. The case has drawn concern in Malawi, where officials say abductions are becoming increasingly common and pose a growing risk to residents and foreigners alike.
Osman, a mother of two, was dragged from her grey Nissan Dualis at around 12.30pm on Friday and was in Malawi working as an auditor after relocating for her husband's job. Authorities have offered a reward of more than £12,600 for credible information and are contacting members of the public for leads, while Malawian politician Atupele Muluzi has urged police to intensify their investigation. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is aware of the abduction and is liaising with local authorities, and existing FCDO travel advice already warns of occasional kidnap-for-ransom incidents in Malawi, noting that British nationals have previously been targeted.
- British mother Nusrat Osman kidnapped by four armed men in Malawi
- Family say motive unknown; no contact for five days
- £12,600 reward offered; FCDO liaising with Malawian authorities