Residents of Dei-Dei and Kubwa in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have raised concerns over the soaring prices of rams ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir festival.
The residents said the rising cost of livestock was placing additional financial pressure on families already struggling with the country’s economic challenges.
A survey of livestock markets in Dei-Dei and Kubwa indicated that the prices of rams had risen sharply compared with previous years, with medium-sized animals now selling for between N500,000 and N700,000.
Traders attributed the increase to rising fuel prices, expensive animal feed and insecurity affecting transportation routes from northern states.
Mohammed Saminu, a livestock dealer in Dei-Dei, said transporting rams from states including Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Katsina and Plateau had become significantly more expensive.
According to him, the increase in transportation and feeding costs had forced traders to raise prices in order to avoid losses.
“Customers are not even offering up to the amount we bought the animals for in the market,” he said.
Saminu added that patronage had reduced considerably compared with previous Sallah periods.
A Kubwa resident, Mrs Zainab Danjuma, said her family might be unable to purchase a ram this year due to the high prices.
She explained that many households were already facing difficulties caused by increasing food prices, school fees and transportation costs.
Another trader, Sani Yahaya, said insecurity on major roads had discouraged many livestock suppliers from transporting animals to Abuja markets.
He noted that the reduced supply of animals had contributed to the price increase.
Muhammed Ahmed, another resident, called on the government to tackle insecurity and reduce transportation challenges affecting livestock traders.
He also urged Muslims to avoid unnecessary financial pressure during the festive season and celebrate according to their means.
“Sallah symbolises sacrifice, love and sharing. The sincerity of worship is more important than the size of the ram purchased,” he said.
Some prospective buyers described the situation as discouraging, warning that many Muslim families might not be able to afford rams for this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Eid-el-Kabir, widely known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
