POLICE are baffled by the apparently motiveless execution style killing of a taxi driver whose body was found in an area known as lovers lane, off Ackers Lane in Carrington.

The body of Mohammed Akram, 38, of Rochdale, was discovered by a man cycling to work early Monday morning.

The father of five had been blasted through the back of the head with a shotgun.

His car was found just over a mile away in Bromley Avenue, Flixton with the keys still in the ignition, the radio on and the takings untouched.

Mr Akram left home on Sunday afternoon to go to work and was last heard of by his employers at Manchester's Radio Cars when he responded to a call for a fare from Victoria Park, Manchester, to Piccadilly railway station at about 7.10pm on Sunday evening.

Police have set up a murder incident room at Stretford police station and are appealing for anyone who may have information to come forward.

Det Supt Huntbach, who is leading the hunt for the killer says: "There is no obvious motive for this murder.

"Mr Akram appears to have been a hardworking, respectable man whose boss describes as a model taxi driver."

Anyone who travelled in Mr Akram's light blue Toyota Corolla, registration D830 LWY or who was in the Ackers Lane, Isherwood Road area of Carrington between 2pm Sunday and 8am Monday is asked to contact the police on 856-67832 or anonymously on crimestoppers on 0800 555-111.

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