ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including four kids, were killed in 2 in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothing products distributed at yearly Christmas occasions, the authorities said Saturday.

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

Ten individuals 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 individuals have been left from the church.

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

"The method they were rushing to go into, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one baby as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three people died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a philanthropist, the state cops said.
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"The event had actually not even begun when the rush started," cops representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped 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 aid. Some of the injured have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, cops stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing items still arranged within the facilities.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and sadness stayed palpable even as families and good friends gathered for wedding pictures.
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Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce rigorous crowd control steps.
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The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about security steps in such occasions. Several kids were killed on Wednesday today when a regional structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the latest disaster, the police in Abuja revealed that prior approval needs to be gotten before such charity drive are arranged.

The present financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "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 government ´ s financial policies that have actually pressed the regional currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

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