ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, consisting of 4 kids, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothes products distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the cops stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, in the middle of a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and individuals to arrange charity events ahead of Christmas, as the nation fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed 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 spokesman Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, including 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 attempted to get in the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses stated, mentioning that some had been waiting given that the previous night.

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

Three people died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a philanthropist, the state cops said.

"The event had actually not even begun when the rush started," cops spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as officers examine the incident, he stated.

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people yelled for help. A few of the injured have been treated and released while others continue to get healthcare, cops said.

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

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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and pertinent authorities to implement strict crowd control measures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety procedures in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a local structure organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that previous approval must be acquired before such fundraiser are organized.

The present economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "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 pushed the local currency to tape low versus the dollar.

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