Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga has established a connection between the abduction of British national Nusrat Osman in Blantyre and that of Crossroads Hotel owner Sameer Sacranie in Lilongwe. According to Luhanga, investigations into the two cases have revealed similarities in the methods used by the suspects. The police chief stated that the suspects used similar tactics, including acquiring land and constructing structures to hold their victims.
Sameer Sacranie was abducted at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe on February 6, while Nusrat Osman was kidnapped at her home in Mount Pleasant, Blantyre, on September 11, 2026. Osman, a British mother of two and auditor with a local firm, was abducted by four men who jumped out of a grey Nissan Dualis as she returned home after dropping her children at school. Police later revealed that eight suspects were involved in Osman’s abduction.
The police operation that led to Osman’s rescue resulted in a shoot-out between law enforcers and suspected kidnappers, leaving two suspects dead. The killed suspects were identified as Marcolino Munguambe, a Mozambican national, and Limbani Anthony, a Malawian. Police also arrested some individuals, including a woman believed to be linked to one of the suspects, who provided crucial information that helped police trace the properties.
According to Luhanga, the suspects have a similar structure in Lilongwe at Nankuwawa, Chinsapo, on the outskirts of the city, where Sacranie is believed to have been held. Investigations found that the land in Chinsapo was bought between January and December for about K85 million, with additional money spent on construction. A similar structure was built in Blantyre’s Chadzunda’s Mingale area for about K4.5 million.
The police chief stated that investigations are ongoing to establish the motive behind the crimes, including whether the suspects were demanding ransom from the victims’ families or if there was someone else behind the abductions. Luhanga also said police are investigating whether the two cases were part of a wider operation and whether other people were involved in planning or financing the kidnappings.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira and Osman were both hospitalised at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital for a week following their injuries during the rescue. The two were discharged last week. The police are still searching for six suspects who are still at large.
The Malawi Police Service is working to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that such incidents do not recur. The police chief assured the public that they are committed to solving the cases and uncovering the truth behind the abductions.
Key points
- The Malawi Police Service has linked two high-profile abductions, those of British national Nusrat Osman and Crossroads Hotel owner Sameer Sacranie.
- The police have established similarities in the methods used by the suspects in both cases, including acquiring land and constructing structures to hold their victims.
- The motive behind the crimes is still under investigation, with police exploring the possibility of ransom demands or a wider operation involving multiple individuals.
