Mystery as 'murdered' man not seen in five years shows up at police station 'alive and well'

A man who disappeared five years ago, with arrests being made over his alleged murder, has appeared live and well this week.

Ismail Ali was last seen on 29 May, 2020, leaving work at Gulam Food Stores on Cumberland Road in Bradford, and wasn't seen again since.

But the man has reportedly turned up at a police station in the West Yorkshire city, five-and-a-half years after going missing.

It was thought that West Yorkshire Police had solved the missing persons case earlier this week when authorities arrested five people on suspicion of the man's alleged murder.

Reports state that a number of homes on Beckside Road and Cumberland Road were raided by authorities.

As a result, three women, aged 47, 54 and 55, as well as two men, aged 27 and 51, were detained on Monday 17 November.

The mystery man was believed to have been murdered (Getty Stock Image)

West Yorkshire Police stated that Ali had reported at a police station on Wednesday, saying he was 'safe and well', despite many believing he was dead.

Speaking following Monday's arrests, Detective Inspector Tom Hilyer said: "After extensive enquiries we now suspect that Ismail Ali is no longer alive, and we suspect that he may have been murdered."

But just two days later, Ali showed up at the police station, baffling officers and the British public alike.

Now, West Yorkshire Police is working to understand the circumstances around his disappearance, as his family have since been notified that he has been found safe and well, with it 'being safeguarded whilst necessary checks are being made'.

A statement from the police department added: "Following the arrests on Monday, house searches were carried out at three properties and a large amount of cash was seized.

Ali was last seen in May 2020 (West Yorkshire Police)

"A number of the people who were arrested remain on bail for money laundering offences. Enquiries will remain ongoing for some time into the money laundering offences."

Ali was last seen in a red hooded top, black trousers and dark footwear back in 2020, with his disappearance also being featured in several appeals over the course of five years.

Police admitted that his family were concerned for his welfare.

Despite five people being arrested over Ali's previously suggested death, officers conducted warrants at the three addresses in the area before releasing them on bail.

Ali was believed by authorities to be 'no longer alive' after over half a decade had passed after his last public sighting.

Officers concluded their statement by thanking members of the public who shared the appeal for Ali.