Some residents of Dutse in Jigawa State have decried the rising prices of rams and other sacrificial animals for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
They said the trend would prevent many families from sacrificing animals during the festivities.
A check by reporters at the Dutse cattle market showed that prices had shot up by over 300 per cent compared to the previous season.
A big ram was sold for N500,000, while a well-bred bull went for N1 million, compared to previous prices of N130,000 and N400,000 respectively.
Traders at the market attributed the sharp increase to the high cost of animal feeds.
Musa Ayuba said animal rearing had become difficult due to the rising cost of feeds and medication.
“Animal feed is extremely expensive, resulting in soaring livestock prices,” he said.
Abubakar Jamilu, a resident, lamented that most families could no longer afford to slaughter a ram due to the exorbitant prices.
“Animals are now too costly for sacrifice. Many people cannot afford them like before,” he said.
Corroborating this view, Umar Abdu described the trend as unbearable and challenging, adding that most families had resorted to alternative measures.
Nuhu Iliyasu said he would contribute money with others to buy a cow and share the meat.
He explained that contribution was the only option for low-income earners to slaughter an animal for the season.
“I cannot afford to buy a ram. I joined a contribution group to buy a cow and share the meat,” he said.
Ishak Ibrahim said he would buy chickens to celebrate the season with his family.
