British mother kidnapped in Malawi was abducted from her car after school run

Por Maira Butt — – World RSS Feed

Her family have been left ‘traumatised’ by the incident as they appealed for her rescue

Maira Butt Wednesday 16 September 2026 12:40 BST

Bookmark
Comments Go to comments

Bookmark popover

Removed from bookmarks

Close popover

Nusrat Osman, 47, has been missing since Friday after being taken from her car ( Handout )

Your support helps us to tell the story

Read more Support Now

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference. Read more

A British mother-of-two missing in Malawi was abducted from her car following a school run, her family has said.

Nusrat Osman, 47, was seized by four men travelling in a grey Nissan Dualis at around 12:30pm local time on Friday, according to police.

Her younger brother Shoba Jiwa told The Sun she was pulled out of her vehicle after she returned home from dropping her two children off.

“My sister has been missing for five days with no trace or call,” Mr Jiwa said, adding that the family had been left “traumatised” by the ordeal.

“We just want prayers. No one knows anything. It’s the only thing that can help us at this stage. She’s a mother of two. Please let her go.”

A £12,600 reward has now been offered by authorities to anyone offering credible information that could lead to her rescue and a prosecution of the perpetrators.

Ms Osman and her family moved to Malawi from Leicester after her husband set up a business in the country.

“I don’t know where she is or how she is,” her husband said in The Nyasa Times in an appeal for her release. “My wife is an auditor and I have no issues with anyone.”

A reward has been offered in the search for Ms Osman, who relocated from Leicester ( Handout )

Mr Jiwa described his sister, who works for a local auditing firm, as a “humble soul and a beautiful person”.

“She’s involved in various charities, a jolly person, an extrovert… we don’t understand why she was taken”.

Authorities have sent out text alerts to citizens across the local area appealing for information.

Local politician Atupele Muluzi described the case as “deeply disturbing”, adding that it was one of an increasing number of similar incidents in the country.

“Kidnappings and abductions are becoming increasingly frequent in Malawi, a country where such incidents were previously largely unheard of,” he wrote in a post on Facebook.

“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.”

The UK foreign office told the BBC that it was aware of reports that a British national had been abducted in Malawi and was in touch with local authorities about the situation.