Huge breakthrough as 5 arrested over Nottingham taxi driver 'execution'

Detectives investigating the death of Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor, the Nottingham taxi driver who was shot dead 30 years ago, have arrested five people on suspicion of murder. The significant breakthrough comes a week after senior detectives at Nottinghamshire Police reopened the case, with a Crimestoppers reward of up to £50,000 put up to anyone with key information in the unsolved case.

In an update on Wednesday (November 27), police said they had arrested five people on suspicion of murder. The suspects arrested include four men - aged 64, 57, 52, 51 - and a woman aged 47. Police say the five people were arrested in the Sneinton and Bakersfield area during the morning of Wednesday, November 27.

People have been told to expect a heavy police presence in the areas.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the community and the media for sharing our appeal for information. This was a dreadful crime that has left Shami’s family waiting 30 years for answers.

“Following our appeal, we have received numerous calls from the public. I would like to personally thank them for their support."

He added: “Please continue to share our appeal and contact us with any information you may have. We know that the answer to Shami’s [alleged] murder lies within the community, and we would encourage anyone with information, no matter how small, to please continue to get in touch with our officers or through Crimestoppers. Crimestoppers is offering up to £50,000 for any information which leads to a conviction.”

On Tuesday, November 22, 1994, Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor, who was known to his friends and family as Shami, was shot dead in his taxi. The 26-year-old was found by a milkman at 4.30am at Lambley Lane Playing Fields in Gedling with his hands tied and bound to the steering wheel. He had been shot in what has been described by police as “an execution.”

On the 30th anniversary of his alleged murder, a dedicated team of detectives at the force began re-investigating the crime. A press conference was held on Friday, November 22, where the police, Shami’s family, and Crimestoppers appealed to the public for information.

Crimestoppers, a charity which is independent of the police, also offered a reward of up to £50,000 for information that they exclusively receive that leads to a conviction. Shami was described as "an outgoing, charming and kind man" who died five months before his baby daughter was born

A large police presence will remain in the Sneinton and Bakersfield area while investigations continue. Neighbourhood Inspector Stephen Dalby, who covers the Sneinton and Bakersfield area, added: “I would like to reassure the community who are likely to see an increased police presence in Sneinton and Bakersfield today. This is part of our investigation into the [alleged] murder of Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor.

“Please do not be alarmed. Officers are in the area carrying out a thorough investigation and are likely to be in the area for most of the day. There will be reassurance patrols engaging with the community so anyone with any concerns please do talk to one of our officers. They are here to help."

He continued: "As always, we would like to thank the public for their patience.” Detectives are still calling for anyone with information about this crime to please get in touch by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by calling the force on 101 quoting incident number 0300 of November 15, 2024.

Alternatively, information can be submitted online via the Major Incident Public Reporting Site: Public Portal.