ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including four children, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothing items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the cops said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amidst a growing trend by local companies, churches and people to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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Ten people 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, police representative Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 people 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 premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to enter, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one baby as his mother had a hard time in the surge.

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a benefactor, the state police said.

"The occasion had not even started when the rush began," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths taped as officers examine the incident, he stated.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people shouted for assistance. Some of the hurt have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, authorities said.

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

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and sadness stayed palpable even as families and friends gathered for wedding event images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to implement strict crowd control measures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about safety measures in such occasions. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja revealed that prior authorization should be gotten before such charity drive are arranged.
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The current economic difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 economic policies that have actually pressed the local currency to tape low against the dollar.

Frustration over the has resulted in mass demonstrations in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were detained at protests demanding much better chances and tasks for youths.
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