Police search home for ammunition in Nottingham taxi driver murder investigation
A reward is still on offer for information into the 1994 shooting
Last updated 30th Jan 2025
A specialist police team is searching a property in Sneinton for ammunition in connection with the murder of a Nottingham taxi driver.
A warrant was carried out at the address this morning after Nottinghamshire Police said it had received intelligence to suggest there could be some evidence linked to the murder of Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor.
No one living at the property now is connected to the murder.
Mr Ghafoor, aged 26, of Sherwood Rise, known to his friends and family as Shami, was shot dead in his taxi on Tuesday 22 November 1994.
He 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.”
Shami was described by his family as "an outgoing, charming and kind man".
Already the father of a five-year-old son, he was killed just five months before his baby daughter was born.
Crimestoppers, a charity which is independent of the police, is offering a reward of up to £50,000 for information that they exclusively receive that leads to a conviction. The reward is still available.
On the morning of Wednesday, November 27, five people were arrested on suspicion of murder in the Sneinton and Bakersfield area.
They were four men, aged 64, 57, 52, 51 and one woman aged 47.
They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
On Tuesday, December 17, a man, aged 43, from the Sneinton area, was also arrested on suspicion of murder.
He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Detectives are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry including further forensic opportunities from the scene of the crime.
Detective Chief Inspector Clare Dean, who is leading the investigation, said:
“Following our media appeal for information, we are following a number of lines of inquiry. The weapon used to kill Shami was never recovered in 1994.
“However, we are following a number of leads around the ammunition used to take his life and therefore have carried out a warrant at an address in the Sneinton area.
“Unfortunately, we can’t go into lots of detail in order to protect the integrity of the investigation but we are looking for ammunition.
“The public can expect to see an increased presence in the area for some time while a thorough search of the property is conducted including the roof space.
“It is incredibly important to stress that the occupants of this property are not involved in our investigation and we apologise for any inconvenience our search may cause.
“Shami’s family have been updated on our investigation so far. They have been waiting 30 years for answers and we are determined to ensure that happens.
“We have always said the key to this investigation lies within the community and it is never too late to come forward with information.
“You may not have been in a position to say anything 30 years ago but with the passage of time we hope you can say something now.
"Crimestoppers is still offering an up to £50,000 reward as an extra incentive. This is a huge reward for information that leads to conviction.
“Information to Crimestoppers can be submitted completely anonymously.
“The reward is due to expire on 22 February.”