British mum kidnapped in broad daylight in Malawi as family make desperate plea

A British mother has been kidnapped in Malawi with her devastated family saying they ‘don’t know’ where she is or who has her.

Nusrat Osman, 47, was abducted by four men who jumped out of a grey Nissan Dualis at around 12:30 local time on Friday (11 September), police have said.

Osman, who is a mum to two young children from Leicester, moved to the African country with her husband after he set up a business there.

She currently works at a local auditing firm in Malawi and her husband told local media he has no idea why she’d have been kidnapped.

Her husband, Nazil Osman, told Nyasa Times: “I don’t know where she is or how she is.

“My wife is an auditor and I have no issues with anyone.”

Nusrat Osman, 47, as abducted last Friday (Handout)

Authorities have offered a reward of more than £12,600 to ‘any person who provides credible information that directly leads to the successful rescue of the victim and arrest, prosecution and conviction of the perpetrators’.

Police have said as yet, the motive behind the abduction is not clear and that the kidnappers had not contacted Osman’s family for a ransom.

Malawi police service (MPS) spokesperson Gladys Chiwaula said that text messages had been sent out to local residents in an attempt to track her down.

“The MPS appeals to the public to remain calm and to refrain from spreading unverified information that may compromise the ongoing investigation,” Chiwaula said.

Her younger brother Shobi Jiwa told The Sun the incident had left the family ‘traumatised’.

“My sister has been missing for five days with no trace or call.”

He told the outlet the family can’t think of any motive for his sister’s kidnapping.

In a heartwrenching plea to the public, he said: “We just want prayers.

“No one knows anything. It’s the only thing that can help us at this stage.”

He also appealed directly to her kidnappers, saying: “She’s a mother of two. Please let her go.”

A friend of Osman posted in an attempt to spread the word about her abduction.

“Nusrat is one of the kindest, warmest and most loving people I have ever had the privilege of knowing,” she wrote.

“She is a devoted mother and a loving wife, and her family and friends miss her more than words can express.

Police have appealed for information about her kidnap (Handout)

“Her family, friends and loved ones are desperately praying for her safety and for her to be brought home soon.

“Please help us by sharing this poster and spreading the word about Nusrat’s kidnapping as far and as widely as possible.”

United Democratic Front president Atupele Muluzi, said kidnappings are becoming more common in Malawi.

In a post on Facebook, he wrote: “I am deeply disturbed by reports of the kidnapping of Auditor Nusrat Jiwa Osman in Blantyre.

“Kidnappings and abductions are becoming increasingly frequent in Malawi, a country where such incidents were previously largely unheard of. ‘This is a matter of grave concern for every Malawian.

“I urge the Malawi Police Service to intensify investigations and do everything within its power to secure Nusrat’s safe return and bring those responsible to justice.

‘I appeal to anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact the family or report immediately to the nearest police station.”

The UK Foreign Office has said it is aware of the reports of a British national being abducted in Malawi and said it was in touch with local authorities.