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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of four kids, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to gather food and clothes products dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the police said Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, in the middle of a growing trend by local organizations, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country battles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed in the very first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, authorities spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a statement, including that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had been waiting given that the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to save one baby as his mom had a hard time in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion organized by a philanthropist, the state police stated.

"The event had not even started when the rush started," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people yelled for help. A few of the injured have been treated and released while others continue to receive medical care, cops said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing items still arranged within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the pain and unhappiness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding event images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such occasions. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent disaster, the police in Abuja revealed that prior consent should be obtained before such charity drive are organized.
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The present economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "renewed hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have actually pushed the regional currency to record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were arrested at demonstrations demanding much better chances and jobs for youths.
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