ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including four children, were eliminated in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to gather food and clothing products dispersed at annual Christmas occasions, the police stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, in the middle of a growing pattern by regional companies, churches and people to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals 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, cops spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to go into, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one infant as his mom struggled in the surge.

Three people passed away in a comparable crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a benefactor, the state authorities stated.

"The event had not even started when the rush began," police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers examine the incident, he said.

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals yelled for assistance. Some of the injured have actually been treated and released while others continue to get treatment, cops stated.

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

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

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about precaution in such occasions. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional structure organized a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that prior authorization needs to be acquired before such charity drive are organized.

The present financial challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "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 government ´ s economic policies that have pressed the regional currency to tape low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at protests demanding much better chances and tasks for youths.