[A] man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Mohammed Aftab in Rochdale.
At around 11pm last night (Thursday 28 December 2017), police arrested a 26-year-old man in the Preston area on suspicion of murder.
He remains in custody for questioning.
Mohammed’s body was found on Dyehouse Lane, Rochdale at around 8:15am on Monday 25 December.
The 21-year-old was found with multiple head injuries and stab wounds to his neck.
Detective Inspector Dave Meeney of GMP’s Major Incident Team said: “Since Mohammed Aftab’s body was found we have been carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the exact circumstances surrounding his death.
“We have now made an arrest and we currently have a 26-year-old man in custody on suspicion of murder. He will be questioned later today.
“However our investigation continues and I would continue to ask that anybody with information comes forward and contacts police.”
Paying tribute to Aftab, his father Altaf Hussain said: “There are no words to describe what has happened, what we have lost and what we could now never gained. You only ever ask that your children look after you, but this has now been taken away from me as a parent. As a young child Aftab was very active, he used to visit the Mosque and go to Karate. Aftab loved football, he was an avid Arsenal supporter. Aftab would regularly go to prayers and he also went to an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca with his mother.
“We ask as a family why someone so vibrant and full of life has now been taken from us?
“Aftab was an older brother to his sisters, although they were older, they and his younger brother idolised him. This has been a devastating loss to all the family.
“Aftab had respect and love for people from all walks of life. You see these things happen to other people but can never comprehend it when it happens to you. We all loved him from the bottom of our hearts and will miss him.
“Aftab was a bubbly person; he was loving towards all his family, exactly what you can expect from a son. Nobody had a bad word to say about Aftab, this has left all his friends and family heartbroken. In the last few days we have had unimaginable support from people including those we have not known. We are thankful for everyone’s love and support they have shown especially those from the Rochdale community.
“I would like to thank the police for their support at this very difficult time, my only concern is that no family should endure what we have, the loss of a young man who had his whole life ahead of him.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 9908 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
