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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including four children, were killed in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothes items distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the police stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, in the middle of a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the country deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals 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, cops spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a statement, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting given that the previous night.

"The method they were rushing to go into, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one baby as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three people passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a benefactor, the state cops stated.
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"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush began," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths taped as officers examine the incident, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people shouted for aid. Some of the injured have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, police stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the facilities.

As the church held a marital relationship event after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as households and buddies gathered for wedding images.

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
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After the most recent catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja revealed that prior authorization needs to be obtained before such fundraiser are organized.

The existing economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "restored hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s economic policies that have actually pushed the regional currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass protests in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were detained at protests requiring better and tasks for youths.