ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of 4 children, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing pattern by local companies, churches and people to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country battles 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, authorities representative Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had been waiting because 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 stated he managed to rescue one child as his mom had a hard time in the surge.

Three people died in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event arranged by a philanthropist, the state cops stated.

"The event had actually not even started when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the event, he said.

Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals shouted for assistance. A few of the hurt have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, cops said.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the facilities.

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was left, the agony and sadness stayed palpable even as households and buddies gathered for wedding event pictures.

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

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

After the current disaster, the police in Abuja revealed that previous approval must be gotten before such charity drive are arranged.

The current financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 actually pressed the local currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

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