EXCLUSIVE Kidnapped British millionaire is RESCUED in Ecuador: Police say he is ‘safe and healthy’ as nine crooks are arrested in raid

• Colin Armstrong, 78, was snatched from his villa by 15 armed men on Saturday 

A millionaire British businessman and former diplomat who was kidnapped in Ecuador has been found by police – after his girlfriend was questioned as part of the plot.

Colin Armstrong, 78, was snatched from his villa by 15 armed men on Saturday morning and last seen being bundled into the back of a car.

Grainy footage later showed his girlfriend Katherine Paola Santos being surrounded by bomb disposal police as an ‘explosive device’ was removed from her but officers suspect she was part of the scam.

On Wednesday, Cesar Augusto Zapata Correa, Ecuador’s police chief, tweeted that Mr Armstrong had been found on a road near Manabi not far from Los Rios where he was snatched.

The picture, which showed him slightly out of focus as per local law, saw him flanked by two police officers and wearing a baseball cap and he appeared fit and well. 

On Wednesday Cesar Augusto Zapata Correa, Ecuador’s police chief, tweeted that Mr Armstrong (pictured) had been found on near Manabi not far from Los Rios where he was snatched

Colin Armstrong, 78, and partner Katherine Paola Santos are pictured together in Jamaica

Cmr Correa wrote: ‘Our units released citizen Colin A., kidnapped a few days ago in Los Rios. At the moment he is safe and healthy.’

He added that nine people had been arrested in connection with the kidnap.

There was no immediate comment from his family who include a daughter in California Diana Armstrong Bruns who had earlier told the Mail it was a ‘critical time’ for the family.

His son Nick has flown to Ecuador from his home in North Yorkshire to help in the hunt.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…  

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