A man who went missing in Bradford five years ago has walked into a police station, days after officers arrested five people on suspicion of his murder. West Yorkshire Police confirmed that Ismail Ali, 51, turned up on Wednesday and is “safe and well”.
Ali disappeared in 2020, and this week police arrested three women and two men on suspicion of his murder, stating they believed he was “no longer alive”. However, on Thursday, the force said Ali had reported to a police station, and officers are now working to understand the circumstances of his disappearance.
Police said house searches were carried out at three properties following Monday’s arrests, and a large amount of cash was seized. A number of those arrested remain on bail for suspected money laundering offences, and inquiries are ongoing.
Ali’s family have been notified that he has been found safe and is being safeguarded while necessary checks are made. Police thanked the public for sharing appeals for information about Ali’s disappearance.
According to reports from 2020, Ali was last seen at the shop where he worked in the Lidget Green area of Bradford on 29 May. He was wearing a red hooded top, black trousers, and dark footwear at the time.
