In short
- Nusrat Osman, 47, a British national and mother of two young children, was abducted in Blantyre, Malawi, at around 12:30 local time on Friday.
- Malawi police said four men travelling in a grey Nissan Dualis seized Osman in the country’s main city.
- Authorities have offered a reward of more than $17,000 (£12,600) for credible information leading to her rescue and to the prosecution of those responsible.
- Police said the motive for the abduction was unknown and that the kidnappers had not contacted Osman’s family or the authorities.
- The UK Foreign Office told the BBC it was aware of reports that a British national had been abducted in Malawi and was in touch with local authorities.
Police in Malawi are investigating the abduction of a British national, Nusrat Osman, 47, who was seized in the city of Blantyre at about 12:30 local time on Friday by four men travelling in a grey Nissan Dualis, according to a police statement.
What happened in Blantyre?
Osman was seized at around 12:30 local time on Friday in Blantyre, the main city of Malawi, a country in southern Africa. A police statement said the four men who took her had been travelling in a grey Nissan Dualis. Police in Malawi are investigating the abduction.
Who is Nusrat Osman?
Nusrat Osman is 47 years old and a British national. She is the mother of two young children and was reported to have been working for a local auditing firm in Malawi.
What reward has been offered?
Authorities in Malawi have offered a reward of more than $17,000, or around £12,600, for “credible information”. Police said the information would need to lead to the rescue of Osman and to the prosecution of those behind the abduction.
Have the kidnappers made contact?
Police said the motive behind the abduction was unknown. They added that the kidnappers had not contacted the victim’s family or the authorities.
What has Osman’s husband said?
Malawian news outlet the Nyasa Times reported that Osman’s husband was in anguish about the disappearance, and quoted him saying: “I don’t know where she is or how she is. My wife is an auditor and I have no issues with anyone.”
What has the UK government said?
The UK Foreign Office told the BBC it was aware of reports that a British national had been abducted in Malawi, and that it was in touch with local authorities.
Key facts at a glance
- Nusrat Osman, 47, a British national, was abducted in Blantyre, Malawi, on Friday.
- Police said four men in a grey Nissan Dualis seized her at around 12:30 local time.
- Malawi authorities have offered more than $17,000, or £12,600, for information leading to her rescue and to prosecutions.
- Police said the motive was unknown and that the kidnappers had not contacted her family or the authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the British woman abducted in Malawi?
Nusrat Osman, 47, a British national and mother of two young children who was reported to have worked for a local auditing firm. She was seized in Blantyre at around 12:30 local time on Friday.
What reward has been offered for information?
Authorities in Malawi have offered more than $17,000, about £12,600, for credible information that could lead to Osman’s rescue and to the prosecution of the perpetrators.
Have the kidnappers contacted the family?
Police said the kidnappers had not contacted Osman’s family or the authorities, and that the motive for the abduction was unknown.
What has the UK Foreign Office said about the case?
The UK Foreign Office told the BBC it was aware of reports that a British national had been abducted in Malawi and said it was in touch with local authorities.
With reporting from BBC News.
Stock image, not from the events described. Globe World — Jo%E3o%20Silas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)