Insecurity, economic downturn and general apathy towards the celebration of this years eid-il-adha have been adduced as reasons for the soaring prices of rams in the market as well as the resultant low purchasing pattern of Muslims at the moment.

We gathered that a standard ram in the market goes for between N50,000 to N70,000, while others. that are relatively big are sold for between N90,000 to N120,000. From the popular Kara Ram Market along Ibadan Express Way, to Owode-Elede in Mile-12 and then Sabo in Ikorodu, prices are not entirely different from the other depending on sizes of rams. But these markets bubbles with many people trooping in to either have an idea of the price or walk away with one or two rams.

A ram seller who spoke to Facing the Kaaba disclosed that the that more trailer loads of rams are entering the South West of the country on daily basis but lamented low purchasing pattern of the rams compared to how it was last year.

SALLAH: Rams at Zango Market, Tudun Wada, Kaduna. NAN PHOTO.

Again, sellers surmised that the soaring prices are as a result of security challenges some parts of the Northern states are going through. This according to a seller has had adverse effect on the availability of rams as well as impeded movement of people into such areas to buy rams.  We go as far as Niger Republic to buy the rams since people are scared of going to areas like Borno which used to have more of the animals than other states in the north. Nobody wants to risk being killed by Boko Haram, Alhaji Seriki Abdul Kareem, a ram seller in Owode-Elede, Mile 12 said.

Others also opined that several fees, tolls and transport fare incurred on bringing the rams to the market also add up to the prices in the market. gtransporting a trailer-load of the animals from Gibia in Katsina State to Auchi had increased from N150,000 to N250,000 and when talking of transportation to Lagos, it is another story entirely, because there are some people in Ogun State who usually collect different fees as tolls before granting us pass; so, these are some of the reasons for the hike in prices of rams.

However, both the buyers and sellers have generally blamed the poor economical condition in the country on the hike in prices of rams. Most of the places visited, only a few customers were seen buying rams, while several others walk away as a result of high prices tagged on the animals.

This may well account for the low purchasing pattern in the buying of rams for Salah that is about four days away.  Some ram sellers opined that people are used to late-buying of rams, a system that is generally believe will force down prices of rams in the market as sellers will also want to clear stock and return home to join their families for the celebration. But some of the buyers who spoke to Vanguard declared that there is no significant difference in prices of rams on eid-day, because it suggests some kind of desperation in the buyer who goes to the market on Salah day.  Others however, believe that it is better to buy on eid-day. But does it worth the risk if the means to buy is available? Obviously not because it is only a yearly activity.

Money canft stop me from buying ram—Saheed

They are wont to giving you high price, like N250 000 and then expect you to haggle the price..

I usually buy two and we were told each standard ram costs N100, 000. But money can not stop me from buying ram, because this festival is not about money but for the fun.

Prices are not entirely outrageous —Hammed Akeem

Prices are okay when compared with that of last year. We were able to get a ram for N40,000, about the one sold for between N50 000 to 55 000 last year. I think the prices are better this year. So, I’m happy.

Nothing has changed — Akeem Adeshina

Nothing has really changed in terms of prices of rams. Those used to buy two are not going for one. But I believe the most important thing is to slaughter, no matter how small.

We go as far as Niger Republic, says Borno is no-go-area —Seriki AbduKareem

The prices range between N50,000 to N70 000. Although, we have the very big ones which are sold for between N90, 000 and N100,000.  However, rams are not as cheap as people thought it to be simply because of the Boko Haram insurgence in the north. Many of us (the sellers) go to Niger Republic to bring rams. Many of the rams in the South West today are brought from Kano, Kastina and Niger Republic. Nobody wants to go to Borno again because everybody is scared of being killed by Boko Haram.

So, the little we are able to buy are what we are selling and they are even expensive because the demand now is more than the what is available. But thank God, there are cattle as good alternatives.

Ram business is better this year —Alhaji Isa Musa

I think the business is better this year.  Last year, I brought 700 rams and I couldn’t sell all but presently, I brought 500 and so far, I have been able to sell 100 within a few days. Although, it is about five more days to salah, I am optimistic we sell them all.  The prices are not too high compared to what we sold last year.