Police in Malawi are investigating the reported abduction of Nusrat Osman, a 47-year-old British national, in Blantyre, the country’s main city. According to a police statement cited by the BBC, Osman was seized at about 12:30 local time on Friday by four men travelling in a grey Nissan Dualis.
Authorities have offered a reward of more than $17,000, equivalent to £12,600, for credible information that could help locate Osman and support the prosecution of those responsible. Police said the reason for the abduction was not known.
Osman is described as the mother of two young children and was reportedly working for a local auditing firm. The BBC said a Malawi news outlet, Nyasa Times, reported that her husband was distressed by her disappearance.
“I don’t know where she is or how she is,” he was quoted as saying. He added that his wife was an auditor and that he had no issues with anyone.
Police said the kidnappers had not contacted either Osman’s family or the authorities at the time of their statement. The lack of contact means investigators have not publicly identified a demand or other indication of motive.
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 contact with local authorities. The investigation remains ongoing, with police appealing for information that could assist in finding Osman.