ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including four children, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothing items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, in the middle of a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and people to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people 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 representative Josephine Adeh said 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 dozens tried to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had actually been waiting because the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to get in, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one infant as his mom struggled in the surge.

Three individuals died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser organized by a philanthropist, the state police stated.

"The occasion had not even begun when the rush started," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the event, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people shouted for assistance. Some of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get healthcare, police stated.

The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the premises.

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as households and buddies collected for wedding images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to impose rigorous crowd control procedures.

The current stampedes in have raised questions about safety measures in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that prior approval must be gotten before such charity events are arranged.

The present financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "restored hope" when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have pressed the local currency to record low versus the dollar.

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