Damaturu people decry high cost of rams ahead of sallah

Residents of Damaturu in Yobe State, have decried the soaring prices of rams at the local ram markets, ahead of the Sallah celebration.Malam Hashimu Bukar, a civil servant, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that '''the prices of these animals have gone too high such that the salary of a civil servant cannot buy a ram.'A medium sized ram that was sold at N12, 000 last year is now sold for N20, 000 and above.''Mustapha Shehu, a resident, said: 'I was at Buni Yadi last Friday, Babangida market on Saturday and Damaturu market on Sunday to buy for myself, my mother and wife but cannot afford the high cost.'Last year, with N16, 000 you can get a relatively good ram but today you have to have N25, 000 and above to get a similar size of the animal.''Another resident, Sale Audu, expressed fears that 'many people may not sacrifice the animals this year or may resort to buying on credit, which is not necessary and not encouraged by Islam'.Alhaji Ali Kyari, a livestock trader in Buni Yadi, attributed the hike to the influx of new livestock merchants from outside the state.``Few weeks after the Ramadan, traders from neighbouring states have been coming to buy the animals in large quantities taking them to other parts of the country'.He also said that many youths in the area have joined the trade temporarily 'just for this Sallah period, so that they can make something out of the season'.Bukar Kime, a livestock farmer, expressed fears over the market trend, saying that 'with just few days to Sallah, the patronage has reduced and not encouraging.'I am scared because, I expended so much on fattening 18 rams hoping to sell and make good profit.'Modu Bemi, a seasonal livestock trader, said he had abandoned the trade because he operated at a loss during last year's Sallah festival.``Last year I could not dispose my stock before Sallah and had to sell them far below the cost price. I am not ready to take another risk this year.
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