Police promotes officers in Blantyre rescue operation

By Isaac Salima:

Eight junior police officers who were involved in the rescue operation of British national Nasrat Osman have earned themselves promotions and monetary rewards.

Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga has promoted them to the next rank and also rewarded them with K1 million each in appreciation of their efforts.

LED LAW ENFORCERS—Kayira

On Friday, police officers—led by Deputy Inspector General responsible for operations Noel Kayira—went for an operation and managed to rescue Osman, who was abducted on September 11, 2026 and was being held in Mpemba, Blantyre.

The mission involved the exchange of fire, culminating in police officers shooting dead two suspected abductors while Kayira was also shot in the stomach.

However, police still managed to rescue the 47-year-old Osman.

In a message posted on the Malawi Police Service’s official Facebook page by national spokesperson Gladys Chiwaula, Luhanga is lauding the officers for their dedication, bravery, resilience and professionalism portrayed during the rescue operation.

“The IGP [Inspector General of Police] congratulates the officers for the well-deserved promotions and has urged other police officers to emulate the good example,” Chiwaula says.

At a press briefing addressed in Blantyre City on Saturday, Luhanga said eight people were involved in the operation and that six were still at large.

Luhanga that despite the increase in abduction cases lately, he was pleased that police had shown their commitment in dealing with the cases.

He further said they were training officers so that they would be skilled enough to deal with the cases.

The police boss also said that six local members who were key in helping police in the operation would have to share the K30 million that the law enforcers had promised to be given to anyone who would provide information that would lead to the rescue of Osman.

Osman was being held in a certain house at Mingale Village, Mpemba, before being rescued on Friday.