ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of four kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to gather food and clothes items dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the cops said Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amidst a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people 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, authorities representative Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to get in the facilities 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 get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one baby as his mom had a hard time in the rise.

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

"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush began," police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the incident, he stated.

Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as people screamed for assistance. Some of the hurt have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get medical care, police stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing products still set up within the premises.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the pain and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and friends gathered for wedding event pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce stringent crowd control steps.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about precaution in such occasions. 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 cops in Abuja revealed that prior authorization must be obtained before such fundraiser are organized.

The current financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "restored hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s financial policies that have actually pushed the local currency to record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at protests demanding better opportunities and jobs for youths.