Prices of goats, rams and cows surge in Oyo livestock market ahead of 2026 Eid al-Fitr, leaving residents struggling with rising costs
Residents and traders in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State have expressed concern over a sharp increase in the prices of goats, rams, and cows at the popular Kara livestock market in Igbeti ahead of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
A Naija News correspondent who visited the market observed a significant rise in livestock prices compared to previous weeks, with traders attributing the surge to increased festive demand as well as rising transportation and feeding costs.
At the market, small-sized goats that previously sold between ₦40,000 and ₦60,000 are now being sold for between ₦70,000 and ₦150,000 depending on size and health condition.
Medium and large rams, commonly used for Eid sacrifices, now range from ₦100,000 to over ₦200,000, while cows are reportedly priced from about ₦800,000 into several millions depending on breed and size.
Traders say the rising cost of transporting animals from northern Nigeria, combined with fuel and security-related expenses, has contributed significantly to the price hike.
Some sellers also noted that reduced purchasing power among customers has slowed sales despite the high demand associated with the festive period.
Residents lamented that the rising prices are making it difficult for many families to afford traditional Eid sacrifices, forcing some to downgrade their plans or abandon purchases entirely.
Several buyers described the situation as a reflection of broader economic hardship, noting that even meat prices in local markets have increased ahead of the celebration.
Butchers also confirmed that the surge in livestock costs has directly affected meat prices, making it difficult to maintain affordability for consumers.
As Eid celebrations continue, many households in the region are adjusting their spending habits, with community sharing of livestock reportedly reduced compared to previous years due to economic pressures.
Fresh concerns have emerged over compliance with a court order issued by the High Court of Kano State on April 8, 2026, restraining key parties—including the Honourable Minister of Education, the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, the Kano State Urban Development Authority, and Pluck Global Company Limited—from further actions pending the determination of the matter before the court.
Findings indicate that while all parties—except the concessionaire, Pluck Global Company Limited—were duly served within two days of the order, significant challenges were encountered in effecting service on the company, raising troubling questions about its corporate traceability and regulatory vetting.
A review of the company’s records filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) revealed addresses that could not be verified as functional business locations. Notably, documentation submitted to Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, dated June 20, 2024, listed two addresses: 8B, Lalupon Street, off Keffi Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, as its head office, and 3 Bargery Road, Bompai, Kano, as its branch office.
However, a physical visit to the Ikoyi address revealed that the entire property is occupied by a company identified as Golden Alchemy, whose staff категорically denied any knowledge of, or shared occupancy with, Pluck Global Company Limited.
Efforts to trace the Kano address yielded even more unsettling findings. The location—a locked duplex—showed no visible signs of commercial activity. Neighbours, while reluctant to speak on record, alluded to irregular movements at odd hours, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the premises as a corporate office.
In a twist, after multiple attempts to establish contact, an individual purportedly representing the company surfaced in Kano and agreed to receive and acknowledge the court order on April 11, 2026, at approximately 6:00 pm. Curiously, the Ikoyi address—already discredited—was again listed as the company’s official address in the acknowledgment.
These developments raise critical questions regarding due diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols on the part of the Federal Ministry of Education. They also cast a spotlight on the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), should a concession agreement indeed have been executed with the company. Stakeholders say it would be instructive to review the addresses contained in all official correspondences and contractual documents linked to the transaction.
Meanwhile, a visit to the premises of Federal Government College, Kano, revealed ongoing construction activity, with workers observed excavating foundations. When approached, the workers declined to disclose the authority under which they were operating—despite the subsistence of a court order restraining further action.
Notably, a previously installed project billboard bearing the insignia of the school authorities and the Federal Ministry of Education had been removed. Sources within the institution suggest that the directive for its removal may have emanated from the Ministry following receipt of the court order.
The unfolding situation presents a complex mix of legal, regulatory, and accountability issues—raising the spectre of possible non-compliance with judicial directives, as well as deeper concerns about transparency in public-private concession arrangements.
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