Plateau State was peaceful, as Muslims celebrated Eid-el-kabir across Plateau state.

Checks by The Nation in Jos revealed that the economic conditions few days to sallah were friendlier compared to last sallah festival. A measure of rice has come down to as low as N1,300 compared to last year’s N2,500.

Prices of livestock, however, remain very high, even higher than last year’s. In fact, most residents waited till the last hours to purchase their rams to perform the normal ritual blood sacrifice.

This led to traffic congestion across the Jos metropolis, as business activities reached its peak Thursday evening.

Those traveling out of Jos for sallah could not have enough vehicles due to the rush to get to their destination unfailingly. Almost all commercial vehicles departing motor parks in Jos were overloaded because residents came to send “weigh bills” to their desired destinations.

Travellers, however, had a relief as the price of petrol remained stable. But there was no visible respite in the price of food stuff.

The least ram available in the market at the eve of sallah went for N80,000, while bigger ones ranged between for N150,000 and N500,000.

In the area of security, as preparations intensified, the Plateau State Police Command mapped out strategic security measures to ensure a peaceful and secure environment across the state during and after the Sallah festivities.

Read Also: Marwa mourns Jubril Aminu, describes ex-minister as epitome of knowledge

In a statement released on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, announced comprehensive deployments across all 17 Local Government Areas, with heightened patrols in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis and increased surveillance at mosques, prayer grounds, parks, and other public gathering areas.

To strengthen security further, operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID) have been mobilised for proactive intelligence gathering to detect and neutralise potential threats.

As part of the festive security strategy, the Police Command has banned the use of commercial tricycles (Keke Napep) on Eid Day, while reaffirming the existing ban on commercial motorcycles within Jos-Bukuru and the broader Jos master-plan. The CP warned that violators will be arrested and prosecuted.

“The Command is fully prepared to deal decisively with anyone or group of persons who may attempt to disrupt public peace during this period,” Adesina warned.

He urged parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to educate their wards and followers on the importance of maintaining peace during the celebration and encouraged residents to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.

As at 9am Friday morning, the Eid grounds in Jos Fibre Mosque, State Secretariat, Bukuru, Ali kazaure, State Low-cost Faringada, Bauch road etc were already filled with Muslims set for the 2 rakaah prayers.

Some ram sellers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday attributed the high cost of rams to insecurity and low supply from the Northwest.

The traders, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during a market survey in Abuja, said the low supply was also due to the closure of Nigeria’s borders.

Malam Ahmed Mai-Samari, a livestock dealer at the Dei-Dei livestock market, told NAN that rams supply to major cities was far below expectations compared to 2024, especially from neighbouring countries.

“You know we mostly get these animals from Niger and other nearby countries that share borders with us in the North, especially the moderately sized ones.

“Now, we have to rely solely on local supply from household livestock farmers, which is limited.

“Many traders have even left the business for more profitable ventures,” he said.

He noted that the price of rams had doubled compared to 2025, attributing this to rising transportation costs and the overall cost of living.

“A ram that sold for N200,000 in 2024 now goes for N400,000. Only the rich can afford it now.

“Prices vary depending on size: smaller rams cost between N150,000 and N190,000, medium ones go for N200,000 to N250,000, while large rams range from N350,000 to as much as N1 million,” he explained.

Similarly, Mr Sanusi Abdullahi, a roadside livestock trader in Dutse, said ram prices ranged from N200,000 to N700,000.

He added that sourcing the animals locally had been stressful and costly due to limited access from Niger Republic, likely caused by ongoing political tensions.

“I and my boys had to go from village to village across different states, gather the rams, and transport them here. It hasn’t been easy,” he said.

On sales, Abdullahi revealed he had sold only seven out of about 120 rams in two days, though he remained hopeful of selling at least half before Sallah, even at minimal profit.

In Bwari, another roadside trader, Malam Mustapha Aminu, popularly known as “Biggie,” also lamented low patronage, blaming it on inflation and economic hardship.

According to him, while many Muslims wish to participate in the Eid el-Kabir sacrifice, most can no longer afford it.

“Even though the cheapest ram at my stand goes for N100,000, only a few people have bought so far. This time last year, I had sold nearly all my stock.

“Things were tough then too, but this year is worse. Still, we hope sales will pick up closer to Sallah,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Hameed Raji, a buyer in Bwari, said he had opted for a goat instead of a ram due to the high cost.

Read Also: Why we are selling subsidised Sallah rams, by Lagos council boss

He explained that he bought an average-sized goat for N70,000, which he planned to slaughter for his family and friends.

Similarly, Mrs Rukayya Abdullahi said she and her husband chose to buy and slaughter three big chickens at N20,000 each instead of a ram.

“This will not only serve our visitors but also save us from borrowing money to buy a ram.

“By Allah’s grace, we hope to afford a ram next year,” she said.

Eid el-Kabir is celebrated globally by Muslim faithful and involves the slaughter of rams as part of worship, symbolising sacrifice and sharing meals with loved ones.

(NAN)

The sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau, Imam Abdulkadir, has mysteriously disappeared where it was kept, The Nation learnt.

The ram was stolen on the eve of the Ed-el-kabir, during a heavy downpour in the area on Saturday night.

Malam Haruna Yaqub, an Imam in the community, who disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers, condemned the incident, describing it as unfortunate and wicked on the part of the criminal that stole the sacrificial ram.

Read Also: Sallah peaceful in Kano as Sanusi, Bayero pray at different Eid grounds

“The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely bought to sacrifice, was stolen in the night. 

“We are really shocked and perplexed by the incident. We were astonished to hear this story. This means that people are not God’s fearing. It is scaring that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity,” Yaqub said.

Yaqub called on the people to be God-fearing and never to engage in either stealing or any act of criminality, stressing that everyone will account for their actions in the here and hereafter.