Eid-el-Kabir: Kaduna residents groan as rams sell for N1m

Residents of Kaduna State have lamented the soaring prices of rams ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, with some large breeds now selling for as much as N1m in major livestock markets across the state.

Checks by our correspondent on Tuesday at major livestock markets in Kaduna metropolis showed that medium-sized rams now sell between N200,000 and N450,000, while larger and exotic breeds attract prices ranging from N700,000 to N1m depending on size and breed.

Many residents described the development as alarming, saying the rising prices had placed the Sallah sacrifice beyond the reach of many families already battling economic hardship and high living costs.

Speaking at the Zango livestock market in the Tudun Wada area of Kaduna, a civil servant, Suleiman Aliyu, said many households might not be able to afford rams this year.

“What they are selling now is shocking. Imagine paying over N200,000 for an average ram while some are selling for N1m. Many people cannot even feed properly again,” he said.

Another resident, Halima Sani, said the increasing prices had forced many families to consider abandoning plans to buy rams altogether.

“Things are very difficult. Some people are now thinking of buying chickens instead because ram prices are becoming impossible for ordinary workers,” she said.

Traders, however, blamed the sharp rise in prices on insecurity, transportation costs and the prevailing economic situation in the country.

A livestock dealer, Salisu Abdullahi, said the cost of transporting animals from rural communities and neighbouring states had increased significantly due to insecurity and rising fuel prices.

“Transport is one of the biggest problems. Drivers charge more because of insecurity on the roads and the high cost of diesel and fuel,” he explained.

Another trader, Ahmed Lawal, said cattle rustling and attacks in some northern communities had also affected livestock supply to markets.

“Insecurity has reduced the number of animals coming to the market. Many herders and suppliers are afraid because of attacks and rustling,” he said.

Some residents appealed to the government to urgently address inflation and insecurity, warning that the worsening economic situation was affecting religious and social life across the country.

A resident, Lukman Ayuba, said he could not afford to buy a ram for his parents this season because of the surge in prices and inflation.

“Ordinarily, I buy nothing less than two rams for the Eid celebration — one for me and one for my parents — but I do not have the financial strength to do that now. The prices have quadrupled. Imagine that the money for one ram can buy a plot of land somewhere,” he said.

Our correspondent observed that livestock markets across Kaduna continued to record low patronage as many prospective buyers stayed away because of the high prices and low purchasing power.

The rising cost of rams is coming amid worsening inflation and economic hardship across the country following the removal of fuel subsidy and fluctuations in the foreign exchange market, which have triggered increases in transportation, food and other essential commodities.

In recent months, Nigerians have continued to grapple with rising living costs, while insecurity in parts of the North-West and North-East has also disrupted farming, livestock production and the movement of goods across several states.

Eid-el-Kabir, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the major Islamic festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide. The festival is marked by the slaughtering of rams and other animals in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah. However, the current economic realities have continued to make the annual religious obligation increasingly difficult for many Nigerian families.