ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including four children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothes items distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the police stated Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, in the middle of a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals 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, police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a statement, 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 dozens tried to go into the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting since the previous night.

"The method they were hurrying to go into, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one baby as his mom had a hard time in the surge.

Three people died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a philanthropist, the state police stated.

"The occasion had actually not even started when the rush started," police representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the incident, he stated.

Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals yelled for aid. A few of the hurt have been treated and released while others continue to receive treatment, authorities stated.

The church canceled the with bags of rice and clothes items still organized within the facilities.

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and sadness stayed palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding event photos.
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Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to implement rigorous crowd control steps.
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The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a regional structure arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current disaster, the police in Abuja announced that prior consent should be obtained before such charity drive are arranged.

The current financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "renewed hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s financial policies that have actually pressed the local currency to tape low against the dollar.

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