British woman rescued in Malawi shootout that left four suspected kidnappers dead
British woman rescued in Malawi shootout that left four suspected kidnappers dead. Image source, HandoutImage caption, Nusrat Osman was taken to hospital for treatment after the rescue ByWycliffe MuiaPublished18 September 2026, 03:41 BSTUpdated 7 hours agoA British woman who was kidnapped in Malawi nearly a week ago has been rescued in a police operation that left four suspected kidnappers dead and a senior police chief wounded.
What happened
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Osborne had her first season as an apprentice in 2020 and rode her first Classic four years laterByLaura ScottSports News CorrespondentPublished17 September 2026St Leger-winning jockey Saffie Osborne says the "fear of failure" has left her after she became the first woman to win a British Classic. Police have not identified the four suspected kidnappers who were killed and have not provided further details about how officers located the group. Police exchanged fire with the suspected kidnappers, who were armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol.
The UK Foreign Office earlier 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. The kidnapping also caused concern among Malawi's business community and British nationals living in the southern African country, where abductions of foreign nationals are relatively uncommon. "The criminals got shot and were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to the injuries," the Malawi Police Service said in a statement.
Osman's younger brother, Shobi Jiwa, praised the Malawian police for securing her release, telling the UK's Sun newspaper that the family was deeply grateful for the force's efforts in investigating the kidnapping.
The wider picture
Osman was abducted by four unidentified men in Blantyre's Mount Pleasant neighbourhood on 11 September. Her disappearance prompted a major search operation, with authorities offering a reward of 30 million Malawian kwacha ($17,000; £12,500) for information leading to her rescue and the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Osman, who is from Leicester in the UK, has lived in Malawi for several years and works for an auditing firm. The case had puzzled investigators because police said there had been no known ransom demand or communication from the kidnappers following her disappearance.
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Only seven female jockeys have had rides in British Classics in 250 years, totalling 13 rides, according to the National Horseracing Museum. "I think it's also quite poignant because there's so few left of first things for women to do in this sport.
What has been reported
"I don't feel like in my position now that I'm ever looked at any differently because I'm a woman," she said. Nusrat Osman, 47, was freed on Thursday during an operation on the outskirts of the southern city of Blantyre, police said. Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira, who was involved in the operation, also sustained gunshot injuries and is being treated in hospital. The police statement said he was in a stable condition. Osman was reunited with her family following the rescue and was also taken to hospital for treatment, and for physical and mental health assessments, local media reported.
He also paid tribute to Kayira, the police chief who was shot during the rescue operation, describing him as the family's "hero" for putting his own life at risk to save her. Police said she had been driving home when the men blocked her vehicle, forced her into another car and drove away. Her family had made emotional public appeals for her safe return, describing the disappearance as deeply distressing and urging anyone with information to contact police.
What happens next
Police have not disclosed a possible motive or said whether they believe other people were involved. They said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and the subsequent rescue operation. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm while the investigation continues. The 24-year-old said that despite wanting to achieve "so much more", her victory at Doncaster on Saturday means she will always be able to look back and think her career was "worth it".
Osborne said the sport can be "very lonely" – she estimates she drives 65,000 miles a year, often alone – and she has suffered some serious falls, breaking numerous bones. While racing is a sport where men and women compete against one another, opportunities have not been equal. They are Gay Kelleway (The Oaks, 1986; The Oaks, 1987), Alex Greaves (The Derby, 1996; 1,000 Guineas, 1996), Hayley Turner (The Derby, 2012), Josephine Gordon (1,000 Guineas, 2017), Ana O'Brien (The Derby, 2017), Hollie Doyle (The Oaks, 2021; St Leger, 2021; The Oaks, 2022) and Saffie Osborne (2,000 Guineas, 2024; 1,000 Guineas, 2026; St Leger, 2026).
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.