ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including 4 kids, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothing items dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the cops said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing trend by local companies, churches and individuals to organize charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation fights 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, police representative Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.
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There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots tried to go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting because the previous night.

"The method they were hurrying to get in, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to save one baby as his mom had a hard time in the surge.
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Three people passed away in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event organized by a benefactor, the state cops stated.

"The event had not even started when the rush started," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths recorded as officers examine the event, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people yelled for help. Some of the injured have been treated and released while others continue to get treatment, cops stated.
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The church canceled the charity drive with bags of rice and clothes items still organized within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the agony and unhappiness remained palpable even as households and buddies gathered for wedding pictures.

Nigeria's Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to impose rigorous crowd control measures.

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

After the current disaster, the authorities in Abuja revealed that previous approval should be gotten before such fundraiser are arranged.

The current financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 federal government ´ s financial policies that have actually pressed the local currency to record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at demonstrations requiring better opportunities and tasks for young individuals.