Five murder arrests over 1994 death of taxi driver

Nottinghamshire Police Shami wearing a blue shirt with white buttons and a white top underneath. He is sitting on a patterned arm chairNottinghamshire Police
Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor was known to his friends and family as Shami

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the death of a taxi driver who was found shot dead in his car 30 years ago.

Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor - known to his friends and family as Shami - was found in his car with his hands tied and bound to the steering wheel in the early hours of 22 November 1994.

The 26-year-old was discovered by a milkman at Lambley Lane Playing Fields in Gedling, Nottinghamshire.

Nottinghamshire Police announced it was reinvestigating Mr Ghafoor's death on Friday, and a reward of £50,000 was offered for information.

BBC/Jeremy Ball Aisha Ghafoor is looking directly at the camera. Her brother is sat next to her.BBC/Jeremy Ball
Mr Ghafoor's siblings, Aisha and Harfan Ghafoor, joined a press conference on the 30th anniversary of his death

The force said four men, 51, 52, 57 and 64, and one woman, 47, were arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday.

Those arrested are from the Sneinton and Bakersfield area of Nottingham, it added, saying there would be a large police presence there while investigations continue.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin said the force had received "numerous calls from the public" since the appeal was launched.

"Please continue to share our appeal and contact us with any information you may have," he added.

Police said Mr Ghafoor, of Sherwood Rise in Nottingham, was last seen in Carlton Square at about 02:00 GMT. His body was found at 04:30.

He and his wife had been expecting a baby daughter at the time of his death. He also had a five-year-old son.

A number of people were arrested at the time, but no-one has ever been convicted.

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