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Sallah: Muslim Faithful Lament High Cost Of Rams

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4 years ago

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Sallah Ram

As the Eid-el-Kabir festival inches closer, Muslim faithful are grumbling over the high cost of rams.

Even though many of those who are used to slaughtering animals to commemorate the season are still hopeful of buying the sacrificial animal,  some of them said their poor economic status amid rising inflation are threatening to mar this year’s celebration.

Daily Trust Saturday reports that Eid-el-Kabir or Eid-el-Adha is celebrated annually by Muslims all over the world through the slaughtering of animals to honour Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son, Ishmael, as commanded by Allah. This year’s celebration is expected to hold on Saturday, July 9.

Sheep, goat, cow or camel are also allowed to be used for the sacrifice even though many people prefer to use ram because of the enormous reward it attracts from Allah.

Our reporters across the states observed that the prices of rams have shot up to between 70 and 100 per cent in most parts of the country.

For instance, the price of a medium-sized ram, which cost N30,000 in 2019 and 2020, is now going for N50,000, while the large-size ram of N250,000 has gone up to N400, 000 within the same periods.

 In Kaduna State, traders have taken over major animal markets as well as neighbourhood spots to display various rams in shapes and sizes, even though they claim there are few buyers, barely one week to this year’s festival. 

At the popular Zango animal market in Tudun Wada, Kaduna metropolis, one of the ram sellers known as Malam Sunusi Usman said the animals were available but buyers were not forthcoming. He added that the prices ranged between N50,000 for medium sizes and N400,000 for very large rams. 

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“Honestly, if you want a good ram for Eid this year you should have from N50,000 to N60,000. These are medium-sized and good rams, but if you need big rams, then you need from N100,000 to N400,000,” he said.

He attributed the cost of the rams to transportation, especially diesel, which is used to power trucks that transport the animals to the market.

At a Kurmin Mashi neighbourhood ram spot, Ibrahim Aliyu said several customers had been visiting to price the rams but only few bought. 

“We understand that it is a difficult year and many people are accusing us of hiking the prices of rams, but they have to understand that it is not our fault. Is there anything that has not gone up in Nigeria today? Even those who rear the animals at home will tell you that the price of feeding them is high, so people should bear with us,” he said.  

Hajiya Halima Sani, a resident of Kaduna, said that having visited several roadside ram vendors, she discovered that the least prices were between N60,000 and N75,000.

Another resident, Usman Hamisu, who bought two rams at N200,000, said one of them cost N80,000 and the other N120,000. 

On his part, Malam Aliyu Suleiman from Zaria said he may not be able to slaughter ram this year due to economic hardship. 

“Things are very expensive this year. As at now, all I am thinking of is how to feed my family on Eid day; if I get some chickens to buy, that will be okay for me,” he said.

In Borno State, ram sellers in Maiduguri decried lack of patronage and poor sales amidst the high cost of the rams during the Sallah holidays. 

The relative peace witnessed recently in Borno State and the state government’s reopening of the Maiduguri-Gamboru-Ngala road has prompted dozens of ram dealers and sellers to travel to neighbouring countries like Chad and Cameroon to buy Sallah rams to sell in Maiduguri.

Our correspondent who visited three different ram markets within Maiduguri observed a huge number of rams, but the traders were kept in suspense and fear due to poor sales. Different ram selling points have also sprung up in various locations within the metropolis.

A popular ram seller at the Kasuwan Shanu market, Babagana Musa, lamented lack of patronage due to the hike in prices, saying, “A good ram which sold at N100, 000 last year is now N170,000.  A big ram that cost between N100, 000 and N150, 000 last year is sold between N250,000 and N300, 000 this year.   This is partly due to the  rapid increase of feed.”

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Another seller at the Bypass ram market, Usman Lawan, also decried poor patronage as a result of the high cost of the animals. He attributed this to the rising inflation and poor economic situation of people in the state.

 A buyer, Bakari Mohammed, lamented that he could not buy a medium-sized ram. He said, “I came here to buy a medium-sized ram to celebrate Sallah but the price has skyrocketed beyond my limit. The one I brought at N50,000 last year is now almost N100,000. But I will exercise patience and see if the prices would reduce towards the eve of the festivity.”

The situation is not different at the markets visited by Daily Trust Saturday in Kano as residents were disenchanted over the rising prices of rams. Buyers lamented that it had become extremely difficult to procure rams for Sallah celebration.

Tasi’u Musa, a father of four, said he could not afford any animal for the celebration as he was still struggling to feed his family. He said he had decided to join other less privileged neighbours to buy a cow or camel and share, which he also said were beyond the reach of the poor.  

However, Shu’aibu Gambo, who bought two big rams at the popular Yan Awaki market in the Unguwa Uku area, said it was possible because he started saving for the past year.

The public relations officer of Yan’Awaki Animals Market, Umar Ado Kwari, said there’s no type and size of animal one would not find in the market.

“People are buying despite the high cost because there are affordable ones that meet the needs of everybody,” he said. 

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), our reporter observed a lull in trading activities around livestock major markets, including Dei Dei and Madalla. 

A ram trader, Yau Ahmed, said the low supply and patronage were different from the situation last year when animals took over spaces for rams in the markets.

Some of the traders attributed the situation to the spate of insecurity in the North West, which has led to the displacement of many farmers and herdsmen in various communities.

He also attributed the situation to the high cost of transportation, resulting from the current price of diesel, which has doubled, compared to what obtained last year. He said the situation led many livestock traders to stay off the business, while others made adjustments.

A ram buyer, Kamaruddeen Adelaja, said he was shocked by the upward change in the prices of rams, adding, “I intended to buy only one but I have to settle for a smaller size from what I initially wanted.”

Iwobi Ifeanyi, a Christian who was seen at Kubwa makeshift ram market, said she intended to buy up to 10 rams and distribute to some friends and associates as she did every year, but lamented, “I am shocked by the turn of events; the prices are very high, even when they appear to be small. I have spent three hours but yet to decide what to do,” she said. 

 Muslim faithful in Lagos, Edo, Imo and other parts of southern Nigeria, are also lamenting the high cost of rams, which they said was beyond the reach of the people.

Our correspondent who visited Eayen Cattle Market in Edo State observed that an average sized ram cost between N80,000 and N200,000 while a big sized ram cost between N250,000 and N400,000.

It was the same thing at Obinze cattle market, Imo State, where our correspondent observed that a middle-sized ram goes for N180,000, while the bigger ones are sold between N250,000 and N300,000.

The price is not different in Lagos and other states as ram sellers bemoaned low patronage despite the risk involved in getting them.

The chairman of Eayen cattle market, Malam Aliko Haruna, told Daily Trust Saturday that he had not been able to make sales since he returned to Benin with his consignment.

“For now, there are no sales; people are not coming. But I believe that when it is few days to Sallah they will patronise us because many people don’t have a place to keep ram, so they would wait till a day or two to Sallah.

“We have rams as high as N600,000. We also have the ones for N400,000, N250,000 and N200,000.

“However, an average sized ram now is from N80,000 and above. If you get a ram of N50,000 it would be a very small one,” he said.

 He attributed the development to the high cost of living in the country.

 The only buyer Daily Trust Saturday met at the market, Mr Abdulaziz Isah, lamented that he budgeted N70,000 for a ram but had gone round the market but couldn’t get one to buy.

“I have moved round the market but my money can’t afford one. I will have to go back home in search of more money,” he said.

One of the traders on rams and cattle in Oke Afa in Isolo, Lagos State, Mr Abiola Hafeez, said he could not travel to the North to purchase rams due to insecurity; he rather went to Saki in Oyo State to buy.

He said some of his colleagues who travelled to Zamfara barely escaped alive when bandits attacked the town they travelled to.

“Only the brave can travel now to purchase animals, not just anybody,” he added.

Mr Kazeem Temitope, who said he slaughtered ram every year, insisted that he would fulfil the religious injunction this year, regardless of the prices of rams.

 He said, “Salah is something many people plan ahead for. I know some who would buy two or three rams every year, but now, they are saying they will only buy one due to the hike in prices. Another person who kills cows has reduced the number he would purchase this year. We all know it is expensive but we have to buy, no matter what.”

 Mr Luqman Obanikoro said that as a result of the high cost of rams, he would rather get a smaller one instead of not buying at all.

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State Police Reform: FG Invites Nigerians to Submit Policy Proposals as Draft Bill Nears September Deadline

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14 hours ago

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August 4, 2026

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State Police Reform: FG Invites Nigerians to Submit Policy Proposals as Draft Bill Nears September Deadline
Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill

State Police Reform: FG Invites Nigerians to Submit Policy Proposals as Draft Bill Nears September Deadline

The Presidential Working Group on State Policing has opened a two-week public submission window for memoranda and policy proposals, setting the stage for a landmark legal framework that could redefine security architecture across Nigeria.

The Federal Government has officially called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, civil society organisations, security agencies, academics, professional bodies, and sub-national governments to contribute to the drafting of the proposed National Policing Bill, which seeks to establish a legal and operational framework for state police in Nigeria. The call was made public on Monday by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, following a high-level meeting at the State House, Abuja. The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that all submissions will be reviewed and integrated into the draft bill, which will then be subject to further national consultation before being finalised and sent to the National Assembly. The development comes weeks after the National Assembly passed the bill following its transmission by President Bola Tinubu, signalling strong political will to actualise one of the most debated governance reforms in Nigeria’s recent history.

This public consultation exercise is critical because the Working Group is currently reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations, and other relevant laws to develop a modern, effective, and accountable policing system. The proposed framework is expected to set national minimum standards for policing across all states, define state readiness and certification requirements before any state can operate its own police service, and clarify jurisdictional responsibilities between federal and state police forces. Additionally, the bill will ensure independent oversight and safeguard human rights, guarantee sustainable funding and financial accountability, and prevent the use of state police as a tool for political persecution – a concern earlier raised by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, who stressed that the legislation is designed to protect citizens from potential abuses of power at the sub-national level.

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Nigerians have until August 13, 2026, to submit their memoranda and policy proposals through the dedicated portal at www.nationalpolicingbill.com, marking the close of a two-week submission window. The Presidential Working Group has adopted a seven-week, milestone-driven work programme running from July 27 to September 14, 2026, with the draft Executive Bill scheduled for presentation to President Bola Tinubu on September 3, 2026. Following this, national consultations will be held on the completed draft before it is finalised and transmitted to the National Assembly. All Nigerians, including professionals, academics, security experts, state and local governments, and civil society groups, are encouraged to participate in this historic policy-shaping process.

The new policing framework will impose strict operational readiness requirements on any state seeking to establish its own police service. According to Gbajabiamila, a proposed State Police Service must demonstrate credible arrangements in recruitment and vetting processes, training and capacity development, pay, pensions and welfare, equipment and logistics, custody and detention standards, complaints and discipline mechanisms, data management and reporting, firearms control and regulation, independent oversight bodies, and financial sustainability plans before it begins policing. These stringent criteria are designed to ensure that only states with the institutional capacity and financial resilience can operate their own police forces, thereby preventing a patchwork of poorly equipped or unaccountable state-level security services.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, represented by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, has described the state police initiative as one of the defining reforms of President Tinubu’s administration, expressing the forum’s commitment to ensuring the success of the policy. The Working Group is also considering recommending federal grants to assist states with limited financial capacity in establishing their police services, acknowledging the fiscal disparities among the 36 states. States that are not yet ready to establish their own service will continue to rely on the Nigeria Police Force until they meet the required standards, ensuring that no state is left without adequate security coverage during the transition period.

The final submission to the President will go beyond a conventional bill and is expected to include schedules and explanatory memoranda, a legal audit of existing policing laws, a state readiness framework, a fiscal and implementation note, and a risk register with transition arrangements. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure that the reform is defensible, auditable, and capable of implementation across Nigeria’s diverse states, addressing everything from constitutional alignment to practical logistics on the ground.

The government has emphasised that this is a people-driven process, and by inviting input from all segments of society – including ordinary citizens, diaspora communities, and professional bodies – the Working Group aims to build a policing system that reflects the aspirations and realities of all Nigerians. As a senior official close to the Working Group noted, this is not just a government bill but a national project in which every Nigerian has a stake in how they are policed. Interested individuals and organisations are encouraged to visit www.nationalpolicingbill.com before August 13, 2026, to submit their memoranda and policy proposals, with all submissions to be reviewed and incorporated into the draft bill ahead of further national consultations.

State Police Reform: FG Invites Nigerians to Submit Policy Proposals as Draft Bill Nears September Deadline

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Biafra Civil War: Gowon says Igbo bank depositors were fully paid, defends Awolowo over £20 policy

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15 hours ago

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August 4, 2026

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Biafra Civil War: Gowon says Igbo bank depositors were fully paid, defends Awolowo over £20 policy
Yakubu Gowon and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

Biafra Civil War: Gowon says Igbo bank depositors were fully paid, defends Awolowo over £20 policy

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has defended the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo against long-standing criticism over the controversial post-civil war £20 policy, saying the decision was taken collectively by the Federal Government and was not Awolowo’s personal policy.

Gowon also stated that people from the former Biafran territory who could provide evidence that they had money in Nigerian banks before or during the Nigerian Civil War received the full value of their deposits, including accrued interest.

The former Head of State made the clarification in his memoir, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, where he revisited the circumstances surrounding the currency policy introduced after the end of the civil war in January 1970.

The £20 policy has remained a subject of public debate for decades, with critics accusing Awolowo, who served as Federal Commissioner for Finance during the war, of restricting people from the former Biafran territory to a flat payment of £20, regardless of the amount they had held before the conflict.

However, Gowon said Awolowo had been unfairly blamed for a policy that was approved by the Federal Government after consultations and consideration of the economic challenges facing Nigeria at the end of the war.

According to Gowon, the Central Bank of Nigeria established a panel to examine the possible consequences of converting the Biafran pound into Nigerian currency.

He explained that the exercise was difficult because the Biafran currency was not recognised by the Federal Government as legal tender during the war.

Gowon said the large volume of Biafran currency in circulation also created concerns that exchanging all the notes at the same value as the Nigerian pound could have caused serious economic disruption.

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Economic advisers subsequently recommended that the Federal Government provide a uniform payment of about £20 to each adult from the former Biafran territory, regardless of the quantity of Biafran currency presented.

“We agreed to the proposal and made it our official policy,” Gowon wrote, adding that the government faced major difficulties in determining the volume of Biafran currency in circulation and establishing a practical basis for converting it.

He maintained that the decision was made by the Federal Government and should not be attributed solely to Awolowo.

Gowon further stated that people who had left Nigeria but could provide proof that they held funds in Nigerian banks received the full value of their deposits, including interest, in Nigerian currency.

“Everyone who left Nigeria but had proof that they had money in Nigerian banks got the full amount of their money plus the interest it earned, all in Nigerian currency,” he said.

The former military leader argued that adopting a different approach could have created significant economic and administrative challenges during Nigeria’s post-war recovery.

The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafra War, began in 1967 and ended in January 1970 following the surrender of Biafran forces.

After the war, Gowon declared a policy of “no victor, no vanquished” and introduced the Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation programme, widely known as the 3Rs.

The programme was designed to promote national unity, rebuild war-affected communities and support the reintegration of the former Eastern Region into Nigeria.

Despite the government’s post-war reconciliation agenda, the £20 policy remains one of the most debated aspects of Nigeria’s post-civil war history.

Critics have argued that the policy caused financial hardship for many people in the former Biafran territory, particularly those who lost access to savings, could not provide documentation for their bank deposits or were unable to recover the value of assets affected by the war.

Some historians and commentators have also questioned whether the post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes adequately addressed the economic losses and long-term effects experienced by communities affected by the conflict.

Gowon’s account has renewed public discussion about the Biafra Civil War, the post-war currency policy and Awolowo’s role in the Federal Military Government.

While Gowon maintains that verified Nigerian bank deposits were fully repaid with interest and that Awolowo should not be held personally responsible for the £20 policy, the issue continues to generate debate over post-war justice, economic recovery, historical memory and national reconciliation.

Biafra Civil War: Gowon says Igbo bank depositors were fully paid, defends Awolowo over £20 policy

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How 15-year-old allegedly staged his own kidnapping to extort N200,000 from father

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15 hours ago

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August 4, 2026

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How 15-year-old allegedly staged his own kidnapping to extort N200,000 from father

How 15-year-old allegedly staged his own kidnapping to extort N200,000 from father

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 15-year-old boy who allegedly staged his own kidnapping in an attempt to extort N200,000 from his father in Suleja.

The teenager was arrested alongside a 17-year-old alleged accomplice after police traced him to a hotel in Suleja, days after his family reported him missing.

The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the police, the 15-year-old left home after attending church on July 20, 2026, but failed to return, prompting concern among his family members.

The following day, the family reportedly received a telephone call from someone who claimed that the teenager had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom of N200,000 for his release.

The matter was subsequently reported at the B Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Suleja, leading to the launch of an investigation.

Police detectives reportedly acted on credible intelligence and traced the teenager to a hotel in Suleja on July 25, where he was found with the 17-year-old.

“On receipt of the information, police operatives of the division commenced an investigation and, acting on credible intelligence, the said Kelvin was found at a hotel in Suleja on July 25, 2026, with his accomplice,” the police spokesperson said.

According to the command, the two teenagers allegedly confessed during questioning that they planned the incident to obtain N200,000 from the boy’s father.

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The police said the money was to be shared between them after the ransom had been paid.

“The suspects confessed that they planned to extort the sum of N200,000 from Kelvin’s father, after which they would share the proceeds of the crime,” Abiodun said.

The police said the alleged plan was uncovered before the family paid the requested ransom.

Both teenagers are currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Minna, where further investigations are ongoing.

The command said the suspects would be taken through the appropriate legal process after the investigation had been concluded.

The incident has renewed concerns over staged kidnapping, particularly the emotional and financial impact such incidents can have on families.

Security experts have repeatedly warned that fake kidnapping claims can cause panic, place families under severe emotional pressure and divert police resources from genuine cases involving missing or abducted persons.

The case also highlights the importance of reporting suspected kidnappings promptly to security agencies and allowing investigators to handle ransom demands and related threats.

Residents have been encouraged to provide timely and credible information that could help security agencies prevent crime and respond quickly to reports involving missing persons.

The Niger State Police Command said investigations into the alleged self-kidnapping plot were continuing.

How 15-year-old allegedly staged his own kidnapping to extort N200,000 from father

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