Colin Armstrong, a millionaire and founder of Agripac, an agricultural products supply company in Ecuador, has been abducted from his ranch in the town of Baba. The 78-year-old British businessman, who was awarded an OBE and CMG for his services to the British monarchy, was taken along with a Colombian woman believed to be his wife. The kidnapping was reportedly carried out by around 15 men disguised as police officers.

The daughter of Colin Armstrong, Diana Armstrong-Bruns, has made a heartfelt plea for her father's safe return. Speaking from California, where she works as an estate agent, Armstrong-Bruns emphasized the critical nature of the situation. She expressed her family's desire to have her father back unharmed and revealed that they had been advised to remain silent about the incident. The Foreign Office has confirmed that it is in contact with the family regarding the disappearance of a British man but did not disclose further details.

Colin Armstrong, apart from being a successful businessman, is also the owner of the vast Tupgill Park estate in the Yorkshire Dales, which is home to the popular Forbidden Corner folly garden and tourist attraction. He served as an honorary consul supporting British interests in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil until 2016. His son, who helps manage the family's estate in North Yorkshire, is reportedly abroad and working to secure his father's release using his extensive network of contacts in Ecuador.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a growing issue in Ecuador, often linked to drug trafficking gangs. The Ecuadorian police have confirmed that specialized units are conducting operational and investigative tasks in the area following the alleged criminal act against Colin Armstrong. The situation remains tense as the search for the kidnapped businessman continues.