ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, 4 kids, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items dispersed at annual Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amid a growing pattern by local companies, churches and individuals to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has a hard time with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were eliminated in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops spokesperson Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been left from the church.

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 gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to get in, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to rescue one baby as his mom struggled in the rise.
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Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser organized by a philanthropist, the state authorities stated.

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

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals shouted for assistance. A few of the hurt have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, authorities stated.

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

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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to implement rigorous crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about precaution in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that prior consent needs to be acquired before such fundraiser are arranged.
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The existing financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "renewed hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the local currency to tape-record low against 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 requiring better opportunities and tasks for youths.
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