ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of four children, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothes items dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the police stated Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amidst a growing pattern by regional companies, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem 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, cops spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 people have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to go into the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The method they were rushing to go into, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to rescue one infant as his mother had a hard time in the rise.

Three individuals died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a benefactor, the state police said.

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

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people yelled for aid. Some of the injured have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to get healthcare, authorities stated.

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

As the church held a marital relationship event after the crowd was left, the pain and sadness remained palpable even as households and buddies gathered for wedding photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and appropriate authorities to implement strict crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about security steps in such occasions. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized 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 approval needs to be gotten before such charity drive are organized.

The existing economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "renewed hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s financial policies that have actually pushed the local currency to tape-record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually caused mass protests in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at protests demanding better chances and tasks for young individuals.