ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of four kids, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the police said Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and individuals to arrange charity events ahead of Christmas, as the country battles 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 upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, authorities spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had actually been waiting because the previous night.

"The method they were rushing to go into, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one infant as his mom struggled in the rise.

Three people passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a benefactor, the state police said.
bit.ly
"The event had actually not even begun when the rush started," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths taped as officers examine the event, he stated.

Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals yelled for aid. A few of the injured have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get healthcare, cops stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing items still organized within the premises.

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness stayed palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce stringent crowd control procedures.
bet9ja.com
The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.
bet9ja.com
After the most recent disaster, the police in Abuja announced that prior authorization should be obtained before such fundraiser are arranged.

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

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