- Pricey Rams: Prices have skyrocketed, leaving many struggling to afford the traditional sacrifice.
- Last-Minute Hope: Residents are gambling on prices dropping on Eid morning.
- Market Sluggishness: Ram dealers report slow sales, even with the holiday nearing.
- Islamic Guidelines: Sacrifices can be made over several days, but timing is key.
Ram Prices Skyrocket: A Sallah Shock!
With barely 24 hours to Eid-el-Kabir, the ram markets in Suleja and Maje are buzzing – but not with sales! Residents are holding back, stunned by the insane prices. Small to medium-sized rams are going for between N200,000 and N300,000. Want a big one? Prepare to shell out N400,000 or more!
And don’t think you can escape the price gouging by heading to the outskirts. A market survey reveals that ram prices in Suleja and Abuja are almost identical. Ouch!
Why the Hefty Price Tags?
Ram dealers are blaming increased transportation and feeding costs. Sharafadeen, a dealer at the Kaduna Road livestock market in Suleja, lamented, “A ram I sold last year for N150,000 or N200,000 now goes for N350,000. I bought these ones from Niger State, and my profit is not more than N20,000 per ram.”
The Last-Minute Gamble: Will It Pay Off?
Saheed Abdulrahman, a resident, is one of many who are playing the waiting game. “I won’t bother buying today. Insha Allah, I will buy after the Eid prayer tomorrow morning. The price should have been reduced by then.” It’s a risky move, but with prices this high, who can blame him?
Sallah Sacrifice: More Than Just Rams
Eid al-Adha is a time to remember Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son. While rams are popular, Islamic teachings allow for other animals like goats, cows, and camels. The key is that the animal meets specific age and health requirements and is sacrificed within the 10th to 13th of Dhul Hijjah, after the Eid prayer.
Market Mayhem: Dealers Feeling the Pinch
Abdul, another dealer, admitted that sales are way down. “Even if buyers come on Sallah day, I won’t reduce the price,” he insisted. But can he afford to stick to his guns with so few customers?
Abuja-Minna Link: A Sluggish Scene
At the livestock hub in Maje, which connects Abuja and Minna, things are even slower. Usman, a dealer, confessed he’d only sold two rams in three days. “You can see that most of the rams here are small-sized. The bigger ones are not moving fast, so I brought smaller ones to boost sales. I sold one for N220,000 yesterday and another today for N170,000.”
The Stakes Are High
One brave reporter even bought a ram at the Kwamba cattle market in Suleja for N300,000. Last year, a similar ram would have cost between N160,000 and N200,000. That’s a whopping 50% increase!
Will the residents’ gamble pay off? Or will they be stuck paying sky-high prices for their Sallah sacrifice? Only time will tell!
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