ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including 4 children, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amidst a growing pattern by local companies, churches and individuals to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation battles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

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

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 present products were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had actually been waiting because the previous night.

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

Three people died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event organized by a benefactor, the state authorities stated.

"The event had not even started when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals screamed for help. Some of the hurt have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, cops stated.

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

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding event photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and pertinent authorities to enforce strict crowd control steps.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety procedures in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday today when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the latest disaster, the authorities in Abuja revealed that prior consent should be gotten before such charity drive are arranged.

The current financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "restored hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s financial policies that have pressed the local currency to 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 arrested at protests requiring much better opportunities and tasks for young people.