ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including 4 children, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amidst a growing trend by local companies, churches and people to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has a hard time 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 said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to go into the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to get in, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to save one baby as his mother struggled in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a benefactor, the state cops said.

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

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals shouted for help. A few of the injured have been dealt with and released while others continue to receive treatment, authorities said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothing products still arranged within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the pain and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding event images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce stringent crowd control measures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the latest catastrophe, the cops in Abuja revealed that prior authorization should be obtained before such fundraiser are arranged.

The present financial 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 federal government ´ s financial policies that have actually pressed the local currency to tape-record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at demonstrations requiring better opportunities and jobs for young people.