Murder arrests five years after man goes missing

Ismail Ali was last seen leaving work at the Gulam Food Stores on 29 May 2020

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a man who has been missing for more than five years.

Ismail Ali was last seen leaving work after a shift at Gulam Food Stores, on Cumberland Road, Bradford, at 14:30 BST on 29 May 2020. He was 46 at the time.

Three women aged 47, 54 and 55 and two men aged 27 and 51 were arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody, West Yorkshire Police said.

Det Insp Tom Hilyer said the arrests were a "significant development in the investigation into the disappearance of Ismail".

"After extensive enquiries we now suspect that Ismail Ali is no longer alive and we suspect that he may have been murdered," he said.

Officers carried out warrants at properties on Beckside Road and Cumberland Road before making the arrests.

A police spokesperson urged anyone with information to contact the force.

"We know as time passes allegiances change, any information could be key to getting answers about Mr Ali's disappearance," Det Insp Hilyer added.

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