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Sallah: Muslim Faithful Lament High Cost Of Rams

Published

4 years ago

July 2, 2022

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.

Related Topics:Featured Muslim Faithful Rams Sallah

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Oyo Police: Student Who Died by Suicide Was Charged With Assault, Not ₦8,000 Debt

Published

5 minutes ago

September 19, 2026

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The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Olugbenga.

Oyo Police: Student Who Died by Suicide Was Charged With Assault, Not ₦8,000 Debt

The Oyo State Police Command has denied that it arrested and prosecuted 30-year-old student Al-Amin Mohammed over an outstanding ₦8,000 debt, saying he was instead charged with assault and malicious damage following a dispute with a female Point-of-Sale (POS) operator.

The clarification followed reports about Mohammed’s detention and subsequent death by suicide three days after his release from the Agodi Correctional Centre, Ibadan.

Mohammed died on September 17, 2026, three days after he was released from custody. His family had alleged that he was arrested and taken to court following a dispute over an ₦8,000 balance owed to a POS operator and that the experience left him distressed.

However, the police described the claim that Mohammed was arrested and charged because of the ₦8,000 debt as false, unfounded and misleading.

According to the Command, Mohammed initially approached the POS operator to collect ₦23,000 in cash, with the understanding that he would transfer the same amount to her through a POS transaction.

The police said the operator handed him the money, but he allegedly left without completing the transfer or returning the cash.

After efforts to recover the money, Mohammed reportedly returned ₦15,000, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦8,000.

The police said the POS operator subsequently took possession of Mohammed’s mobile phone pending repayment of the balance.

The dispute later escalated, according to the Command, when Mohammed allegedly went to the complainant’s residence at about 10pm on September 8, 2026.

The police alleged that he assaulted the woman and, during the confrontation, damaged her Airtel SIM registration machine, which was valued at ₦177,000.

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Members of the community reportedly intervened in an attempt to settle the dispute, but the effort failed. Mohammed was subsequently handed over to vigilantes, who brought him and the complainant to the police station.

The Command said officers heard both sides and made a further attempt to resolve the matter amicably, but the complainant insisted on pursuing the case in court.

The police therefore said Mohammed was charged with assault and malicious damage, rather than with owing the ₦8,000.

The Command also clarified that the student’s continued detention at the correctional centre was not a decision by the police to hold him over the debt.

According to the police, Mohammed was granted bail after his arraignment but remained at the Agodi Correctional Centre because he could not immediately meet the conditions imposed by the court. He was released after the bail conditions were eventually fulfilled.

Mohammed’s family, however, has given a different account of the events.

His mother, Simiat Mohammed, said her son had borrowed ₦23,000 from the POS operator and repaid ₦15,000, leaving the ₦8,000 balance.

She said the operator seized his mobile phone over the outstanding amount and that Mohammed later returned to retrieve it.

The family disputed the police account that he assaulted the woman and damaged her equipment, maintaining that the confrontation occurred in the course of the dispute over his phone.

The family said Mohammed was subsequently detained and taken to court before being remanded at the correctional centre. His parents later stood as sureties to secure his release.

According to his mother, Mohammed’s condition changed significantly after he returned home on September 14.

She said he became withdrawn, ate little and repeatedly complained about the humiliation he believed he had suffered after being arrested, taken to court and remanded.

Three days after his release, Mohammed reportedly ingested a poisonous substance and later died.

His family has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest, detention, court proceedings and death.

The police, however, cautioned against drawing a direct causal link between the criminal case and Mohammed’s death without verified evidence.

The Command said the circumstances surrounding his death should be established through an appropriate investigation rather than through what it described as an inaccurate or incomplete account.

The case has therefore left competing accounts of how the dispute escalated from an ₦8,000 outstanding balance into a police case.

While the family links Mohammed’s ordeal to the debt dispute, the police maintain that the criminal proceedings were based on allegations of assault and damage to a ₦177,000 SIM registration machine.

The available accounts establish that the ₦8,000 was connected to the original financial transaction, but they differ over the circumstances that followed, including the alleged assault, property damage and the events leading to Mohammed’s detention.

The circumstances surrounding Mohammed’s death and whether any direct connection exists between the events remain matters for further investigation.

Oyo Police: Student Who Died by Suicide Was Charged With Assault, Not ₦8,000 Debt

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Delta Police Intercept Sienna With Military Uniforms, Suspected Drugs

Published

4 hours ago

September 19, 2026

Trends Admin

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Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale

Delta Police Intercept Sienna With Military Uniforms, Suspected Drugs

The Delta State Police Command has intercepted a Toyota Sienna allegedly conveying military camouflage uniforms, boots, hats and cartons of suspected illicit drugs, arresting the driver in the process.

The interception was carried out on Friday, September 18, 2026, by operatives of the command’s Anti-Cult Unit (CACU), Asaba, following intelligence about the movement of the vehicle from Onitsha in Anambra State towards Ondo State.

The police said operatives mounted surveillance along the anticipated route and intercepted a green Toyota Sienna with registration number KP 527 AAA at about 4:50am.

The vehicle was allegedly driven by Isaac Urji, 45, from Abia State, who was arrested after the search.

According to the police, officers recovered cartons of substances suspected to be Tramadol and other illicit drugs, alongside military camouflage uniforms, boots and hats.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the development in a statement made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.

Edafe said investigation had commenced to determine the source and intended destination of the recovered items and identify other people who may have been connected with the consignment.

The interception comes amid a wider crackdown by the command on kidnapping, cultism, illicit drugs and illegal firearms across Delta State.

In a separate operation on September 18, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Sector III, Ubulu-Uku, arrested two suspected cultists at Alisheme Community in Ika South Local Government Area.

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The suspects, identified as Destiny Okafor, 18, and Sunday Bryan, 22, were allegedly linked to cultism and kidnapping-related activities.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the two suspects identified themselves as members of the NBM Confraternity. Officers reportedly recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel gun, a battle axe, two cutlasses, mobile phones and a laptop.

In another operation on September 15, police and other security personnel conducted a cordon-and-search operation around Ogboli Quarter and other areas of Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area following intelligence about suspected cult activities.

Four suspected cultists were arrested during the operation, while police said they recovered two locally made pistols, one pump-action gun and six live cartridges.

The arrests and recoveries are part of the Delta Police Command’s intelligence-led operations targeting criminal activities across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, said the command would sustain operations against kidnapping, cultism and the proliferation of illegal firearms.

He also urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring the public that information supplied to the police would be treated confidentially.

Meanwhile, the driver arrested in connection with the intercepted Sienna remains in police custody as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the movement of the military uniforms and suspected illicit drugs.

The police have not announced any charges against the suspect, and the investigation is expected to determine whether other individuals were involved in the consignment.

Delta Police Intercept Sienna With Military Uniforms, Suspected Drugs

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Jehovah’s Witnesses Adjust Blood Transfusion Rules, Allow Personal Choice

Published

4 hours ago

September 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Jehovah’s Witnesses Adjust Blood Transfusion Rules, Allow Personal Choice

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have announced a major adjustment to their longstanding blood transfusion policy, allowing individual members to decide according to personal conscience whether to accept or donate four major blood components.

The new position covers red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets derived from another person’s blood. The decision was announced by the organisation’s Governing Body on Friday, September 18, 2026, from its World Headquarters in Warwick, New York.

Under the revised policy, members can personally decide whether to accept medical treatment involving any of the four components. They can also decide whether to donate blood for the production of components or fractions intended for another person’s treatment.

The organisation stressed that its prohibition on whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged. The position is based on its interpretation of the biblical instruction to “abstain from blood.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses said decisions involving the four components are now matters of individual conscience, meaning local congregations are not to interfere with or judge members over such choices.

International spokesman Paul Gillies said the organisation continued to regard blood and life as sacred while recognising that decisions concerning the four components should be made personally by individual Witnesses.

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The adjustment follows a policy clarification announced in March 2026 concerning the use of a member’s own blood during medical procedures. That position also left the decision to individual conscience where blood is removed, stored and subsequently returned during treatment.

According to the organisation, the latest decision reflects its interpretation that the Bible does not specifically address whether members should accept the four primary blood components in medical treatment.

The organisation said its members seek professional medical care and do not practise faith healing. It also said healthcare professionals should discuss individual decisions concerning blood components directly with patients and respect those choices.

The medical uses of the components vary. Red blood cells can be used to replace blood lost through surgery or serious injury, while platelets help manage certain bleeding conditions. Plasma is used in several treatments involving bleeding and clotting disorders, while white blood cells have more specialised clinical applications.

The Associated Press reported that the revised policy permits members to receive products derived from donated blood while retaining the prohibition on whole-blood transfusions.

Jehovah’s Witnesses said the organisation has more than nine million members worldwide, with congregations in more than 200 countries and territories.

The September decision represents a significant change in the organisation’s approach to the four major blood components, with responsibility for accepting or donating them now placed on individual members.

The ban on whole-blood transfusions, however, remains in place.