British millionaire Colin Armstrong faced a harrowing abduction from his home in Ecuador on Saturday, orchestrated by a group of 15 men disguised as law enforcement officers. The abduction also involved Armstrong's partner, Katherine Paola Santos, though Santos has since reappeared amidst ongoing investigations.
The distressing incident unfolded when the armed gang forcefully invaded Armstrong's residence in Ecuador's Los Rios province, subsequently commandeering Armstrong and his partner into his own BMW. The details of the abduction have sparked widespread concern and intense police scrutiny.
Reports from The Sun indicate that Santos has resurfaced following the abduction, yet her reappearance has raised suspicions. A circulating video seemingly portrays her wearing an explosive vest, necessitating the intervention of the bomb disposal unit. However, official statements on the credibility of the footage have been withheld by the authorities.
Colin Armstrong, a notable figure due to his former honorary consul position in Guayaquil and his establishment of the significant agricultural company Agripac in Ecuador, holds extensive property, including a ranch in Ecuador and a sizable estate in North Yorkshire, which holds sentimental value as his childhood home.
Ecuadorian law enforcement, through a tweet, disclosed their active engagement in operational and investigative endeavors concerning the alleged criminal act targeting Armstrong in the Los Rios province. Concurrently, reports suggest the involvement of British intelligence in probing Armstrong's disappearance, emphasizing the international gravity of the incident.
The kidnapping transpired around 2:45 am, marking the grim beginning to Armstrong and Santos' ordeal. Although the BMW used for their transportation was later discovered abandoned along a roadside, the perpetrators remain unidentified, and no ransom demands have been reported.
The absence of communication from the kidnappers, coupled with the lack of ransom requests, intensifies the mystery shrouding Armstrong's situation. The circumstances surrounding Santos' reappearance and the distressing video footage have further fueled speculation and deepened the urgency of the ongoing investigation.
As authorities intensify their efforts to secure Armstrong's safe return, the situation continues to evolve, prompting heightened vigilance and international concern over the safety of the abducted British businessman in Ecuador.
