ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes items dispersed at annual Christmas events, the police said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amid a growing trend by regional companies, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation fights 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, police representative Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.
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There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to enter the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to go into, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to save one infant as his mom had a hard time in the rise.

Three people passed away 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.

"The occasion had actually not even started when the rush began," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths recorded as officers examine the event, he stated.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people yelled for help. A few of the hurt have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, police said.

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

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and sadness stayed palpable even as households and good friends gathered for wedding images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to impose rigorous crowd control steps.
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The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security measures in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local structure arranged 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 revealed that previous authorization must be gotten before such fundraiser are organized.

The present financial difficulty 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 pushed the regional currency to tape low against the dollar.

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