Cruel Nigerian Ram Fighting Continues Without Any Regulations

In Lagos, a cruel and controversial spectacle unfolds – a ram-fighting tournament. The event, reminiscent of a bygone era when young boys playfully watched rams butt heads during the annual Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir, has evolved into a sport embraced by some as a form of entertainment.

Source: africanews/YouTube

The tournament draws around 100 spectators, comprised of ram owners who view the sparring as a sport, akin to boxing, with the added thrill of gambling. Unlike traditional ram fights in the wild, these competitions categorize the rams by weight, creating a structured environment where they can showcase dominance. However, the absence of official regulations raises concerns about the well-being of the animals.

Ram farmer Olalekan Ogunlaja, a veteran in the world of competitive ram fighting, dismisses claims of animal cruelty. He asserts that his rams are well cared for, drawing a parallel to the treatment of racehorses – which is also a cruel sport. According to Ogunlaja, competitions are halted if any blood is shed, highlighting a commitment to ensuring the safety of the animals.

The rams, named with flair similar to racehorses, engage in specific rules during the tournaments. The number of allowable blows is limited, and in betting scenarios, the threshold increases. Enthusiasts argue that the sport is non-lethal and rarely results in injuries, differentiating it from blood sports.

While spectators like Adeniyi Adekunle-Michael and foreign exchange trader Ilias Ajuwon view ram fighting as a leisurely pastime, Animal rights activists express serious concerns. Campaigner Kizito Nwogu contends that the sport can lead to brain damage in the animals. Allegations of neglect, including leaving the rams without food or shade during tournaments, further fuel calls for the prohibition of ram fighting in Nigeria.

Nwogu urges the government to introduce a complete ban on ram fighting, citing the perceived lack of concern for the welfare of the animals. He emphasizes the need to view rams not merely as commodities but as fellow living beings deserving of protection.

Ahimsa by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Related Content:

• New Bill Introduced to Help Animal Fighting Victims
• Spain Makes a Stride for Animal Welfare — But Leaves Out Bullfighting
• D.C. to Pass Bill to Ban Declawing, Dog Fighting Equipment, and More to Prevent Animal Cruelty
• Investigation Reveals Convicted Animal Abuser as Key Player in Scotland’s Cruel Dog Fighting Cult

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!