ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including 4 children, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothing items dispersed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amidst a growing trend by local companies, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country fights 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 stated in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses stated, mentioning that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The method they were hurrying to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one child as his mother had a hard time in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a similar 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 began," police representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths taped as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.

Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals yelled for help. A few of the hurt have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to get medical care, authorities said.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothing products still arranged within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness stayed palpable even as friends and families gathered for wedding event images.

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

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security steps in such events. Several children were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the latest catastrophe, the cops in Abuja revealed that previous authorization should be obtained before such charity events are organized.

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

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were detained at demonstrations requiring better opportunities and jobs for young individuals.