ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of four children, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to gather food and clothes items dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the cops stated Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing pattern by regional companies, churches and individuals to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem 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 part of the capital, Abuja, authorities representative Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 people have actually been evacuated from the church.
bit.ly
There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to go into the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting because the previous night.
bet9ja.com
"The method they were hurrying to get in, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one child as his mother had a hard time in the surge.
bet9ja.com
Three people died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a benefactor, the state police said.

"The occasion had actually not even started when the rush began," cops representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.

Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals yelled for help. Some of the injured have been treated and released while others continue to receive healthcare, police stated.

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

As the church held a marital relationship ceremony after the crowd was left, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and good friends gathered for wedding pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and pertinent authorities to implement strict crowd control procedures.

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

After the most recent catastrophe, the police in Abuja revealed that previous approval should be acquired before such charity drive are organized.

The current financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the regional currency to record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were detained at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.