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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, four kids, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothes products dispersed at yearly Christmas occasions, the cops stated Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, in the middle of a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and people to organize charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation battles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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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, police spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to get in, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one infant as his mother had a hard time in the surge.

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

"The occasion had not even started when the rush started," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the event, he stated.

Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people screamed for aid. Some of the hurt have been dealt with and released while others continue to get medical care, police said.

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

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was left, the misery and unhappiness stayed palpable even as households and good friends gathered for wedding photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and pertinent authorities to enforce rigorous crowd control procedures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current disaster, the police in Abuja announced that previous permission must be obtained before such fundraiser are organized.

The current economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "renewed 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 pressed the local currency to 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 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were apprehended at demonstrations demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.
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