Sallah Day Turns BLOODY As Deadly Gunmen Slaughter 10 Villagers, Abduct Many
In the early hours of Sunday, a group of suspected gunmen attacked Dudun Doki village in the Gwadabawa local government area of Sokoto. The attack occurred at around 1: 30 AM, leading to the tragic death of over ten people.
Many villagers were also abducted by the attackers. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, as they try to come to terms with the loss and the uncertainty regarding their abducted loved ones.
In another report, as Muslims across Nigeria celebrated Sallah, also known as Eid al-Adha, on Sunday, many expressed concern over the steep prices of rams this year. Reports from various markets in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Jigawa, Ilorin, and other parts of the country indicated that the cost of rams was significantly higher than in previous years. This increase comes despite the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting many Nigerians.
Eid al-Adha holds deep religious significance for Muslims, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’ s. (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) in obedience to God’s command. For Muslims, sacrificing a ram during this festival is an important act of worship and devotion, reflecting their faith and gratitude.
At the Kugbo ram market in Abuja, customers like Abdulkareem Rabo expressed frustration over the high prices. Rabo managed to purchase a medium-sized ram for N110,000 after negotiating with several sellers. He noted that prices this year were much higher compared to last year. Similarly, Mohammed Bashir, another customer, shared his preparations for the expense, as buying a ram is a yearly tradition for his family. Despite the high prices, he was determined to fulfill this religious duty. “I am not happy that the prices are high, but we don’t control these prices. Perhaps the prices may drop on Sallah day, but I don’t want to come here again, “Bashir explained.
Ram sellers provided insights into the reasons behind the price increase. Mallam Dan-Bauchi explained that the high cost of transporting animals from states like Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, and Kano to Abuja has significantly impacted prices. Rams at the market ranged from N110, 000 to as high as N500, 000, depending on their size. Abu Mustapha, another ram seller, highlighted the rising costs of breeding and maintaining livestock, including feeding, as factors contributing to the higher prices. He also mentioned that the reduced importation of livestock from neighboring countries had affected supply, pushing prices up. Mustapha noted that many customers, unable to afford rams, opted for goats or decided not to buy any animal for the celebration.
The high prices of rams during Sallah have added to the financial burden faced by many Nigerians, dampening the festive spirit for some. Despite these challenges, the religious and communal significance of the festival remains a central part of the celebrations.
