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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, consisting of 4 kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes products dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the police stated Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing trend by regional companies, churches and individuals to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals were eliminated 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 representative Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.
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There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to enter the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses stated, mentioning that some had been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to save one baby as his mom had a hard time in the surge.
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Three people passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a benefactor, the state police said.
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"The event had not even started when the rush began," authorities spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the event, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people yelled for assistance. Some of the injured have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to get healthcare, police said.

The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing products still arranged within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the agony and sadness stayed palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding event photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and pertinent authorities to stringent crowd control steps.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security steps in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the newest disaster, the cops in Abuja announced that prior approval should be acquired before such fundraiser are arranged.

The present economic difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "restored hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s financial policies that have pushed the local currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were jailed at protests demanding much better opportunities and tasks for young people.