Abuja, Niger residents delay ram purchase

Barely 24 hours to the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, some residents of Abuja and neighbouring Niger State have deferred the purchase of rams and other sacrificial animals until the morning of the Eid day.

They blamed the decision on the sharp increase in the prices of the animals. A visit by The Guardian to the ram markets in Suleja and Maje, yesterday, revealed that prices of small and medium-sized rams ranged between N200,000 and N300,000, while bigger ones were sold from N400,000 and above.

Despite the proximity to the nation’s capital, there was little to no difference in ram prices between Suleja and Abuja. A market survey showed that the cost of rams in both locations hovered within the same range, with medium-sized rams selling N200,000 and N350,000, and larger ones going for as high as N500,000, one million.

A visit by this correspondent to the two locations found no significant price relief. Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the faith and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was willing to sacrifice his son in submission to God’s command.

While rams are the most popular sacrificial animals in many parts of Nigeria, Islamic teachings permit the slaughter of other livestock, such as goats, cows and camels, depending on affordability and availability.