A TOP detective has urged acquaintances of the killers of Bradford businessman Sajid Saddique to put aside their fears and reveal who was responsible for his death.

Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, who is leading the investigation into the disappearance and murder of the father-of-three, appealed to those in Bradford with vital information about his fate, to come forward, for the sake of his family.

Mr Saddique's eldest daughter, 15-year-old Neha, joined his tearful widow, Asma Razaq, at an emotionally-charged press conference yesterday to appeal for information, almost nine years to the day since Mr Saddique, then 32, vanished, after going to meet a business associate in Shipley.

Neha, who was six when her dad disappeared, told the conference: "Because of what happened, my brother, sister and I will never know our Dad, which is the worst thing."

The teenager said she had never given up hope of finding out the truth about what happened to her father, who she said was a "kind man who loved his family dearly".

Mrs Razaq added: "I believe there is somebody out there who knows what happened. I want that person, whoever it is, to come forward and give us the answers we need. We just want justice.

"I would ask them to put themselves in my position, and think about my children. We cannot move on. I ask whoever can help to do the right thing and come forward."

Mr Saddique, who ran a car dealership, was last seen at about 10.10am, on Wednesday, February 14, 2007, when he headed off to meet the associate at the Asda, Shipley car park. His gold Volkswagen Bora car was found there later that day.

Det Supt Atkinson said: "There has been no trace of him since. Over the years we have launched a murder inquiry. I strongly believe Sajid Saddique is dead and people are responsible for that."

He said two people had been arrested on suspicion of murder during the inquiry, and another for assisting offenders, but there had not been sufficient evidence to charge them.

Det Supt Atkinson said the investigation was focused on Bradford and Shipley. "I am focusing on people who knew Sajid, who know his background and know people he associated with. People don't just vanish off the face of the earth."

He added: "You can see the pain etched on the faces of his family. They cannot move on.

"The answer may be with people who have not wanted to break allegiances with those who may be connected to the death, and may have been fearful of those responsible. At some point they have got to break those allegiances, do the right thing and come forward with what they know."

And Det Supt Atkinson said: "Someone out there knows what happened to Sajid. He was very much a family man. It's right and proper we continue this investigation and get the answers his family deserve."

He said there was a substantial reward of £150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

And he vowed: "West Yorkshire Police will not rest until we get the answers. This case will never be closed."