Some residents of Bauchi, Bauchi State, have expressed concern over a hike in ram and sheep prices ahead of the Eid el-Adha celebration.
Celebrated by Muslims as a major holiday, Eid el-Adha, also known as Eid el-Kabir or the “Fest of Sacrifice,” honors the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to God.
It is being observed on the 10th day of Dhul Hajj (the 12th month of the Islamic calendar).
One of the central rituals on Eid el-Adha is the act of sacrificing a ram, sheep, goat or cow.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, despite the animals’ low demand, prices have increased by more than 100% in the last two weeks.
Trust News Africa check at Kasuwan Shanu and railway livestock markets in the Bauchi metropolis showed that traders were making lull businesses.
An average ram was sold at N160,000 as against its old price of N80,000.
Instead of selling for N250,000 or N450,000 as it had in previous weeks, a well-bred bull went for between N500,000 and N750,000.
Similarly, sheep and goats indicated similar increases in prices, as a medium-sized sheep sold for N100,00 and N45,000 as against N60,000 and N25,000, respectively.
Mr Sani Ayuba, a resident, blamed traders for the unilateral hike in prices to exploit buyers.
He said the traders jerked up the prices to make a profit given the high demand for the animals for sacrifice during the festivities.
Another resident, Ibrahim Usman, who bought a ram at N170,000, decried the exorbitant prices at the market.
“I bought a ram at the Kasuwan Shanu at N170,000. This is much higher than the usual price.
“Traders are taking advantage of the festive period to get more money from people needing the animals for sacrifice,” he said
However, Musa Zanna, an animal dealer, attributed the hike in prices to the high cost of transportation and animal feeds.
He said that animal dealers spent much on transporting the animals from village markets to the state capital.
With the increased supply of animals, Zanna was optimistic that prices would continue to decline.
