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Posted on the 22nd November 2024 in PHTM News
FAMILY OF NOTTINGHAM CABBIE MURDERED IN 1994 MAKE PLEA AS NOTTS POLICE REINVESTIGATE KILLING
Thirty years after the brutal murder of Nottingham taxi driver Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor, known as Shami, his family is renewing their plea for answers as Nottinghamshire Police re-open the cold case.
The 26-year-old was found shot dead in the early hours of November 22, 1994, bound to the steering wheel of his taxi on Lambley Lane Playing Fields in Gedling.
On the 30th anniversary of the killing, police launched a fresh appeal, with Crimestoppers offering a £50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.
At the time of his death Mr Ghafoor was expecting a baby daughter with his wife, with whom he also had a son.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Shami’s sister, Aisha, expressed the family’s enduring pain and frustration. “He was the heart of our family,” she said. “We’re still living with loss and pain. Please, end our agony.”
Previous attempts by the Notts Police to find answers have been unsuccessful, with the weapon used in the killing never recovered.
Arrests were made as part of past investigations but no-one has yet been convicted for the murder.
Notts Police now say there are “still viable lines of enquiry” due to advances in forensic science – which means items from the scene of the crime can be examined.
The taxi driver was last seen with three Asian man in his cab – a black and white Ford Sierra car – in Carlton Square around 2am, according to the force. His body was found two-and-a-half hours later.
Police believe Shami may have been targeted due to his association with local organised crime, though they emphasise he was not directly involved in criminal activity.
Detective Chief Superintendent Rob Griffin said: “I think he found himself out of his depth, which may be why he was killed.
“I’m absolutely certain there are people out there who have information about this murder.
"This family deserves justice.”
The police are looking to speak specifically to taxi drivers, a community in which Mr Ghafoor was well-known.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The reward is only available through information passed to the organisation and is due to expire on 22 February 2025.
Information can also be passed to Notts Police on 101.
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