ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including four kids, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to gather food and clothes items distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated country, amidst a growing pattern by regional companies, churches and individuals to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation battles 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, authorities spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 people have been evacuated from the church.

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

"The way they were hurrying to enter, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he handled to save one baby as his mother struggled in the surge.
bet9ja.com
Three people died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive by a philanthropist, the state cops stated.
bet9ja.com
"The event had actually not even started when the rush began," authorities spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the occurrence, he said.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals screamed for help. A few of the hurt have been treated and released while others continue to get treatment, cops said.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes products still organized within the facilities.
bet9ja.com
As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and sadness remained palpable even as households and good friends collected for wedding event pictures.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to implement stringent crowd control steps.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about precaution in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday today when a local structure arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the cops in Abuja announced that previous permission should be gotten before such charity drive are arranged.

The current economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "renewed hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s economic policies that have pressed the local currency to tape low versus the dollar.

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