ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothes products distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the cops said Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, in the middle of a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation struggles 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 individuals have been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots attempted to go into the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had actually 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 said he handled to save one baby as his mother had a hard time in the rise.

Three people passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a philanthropist, the state authorities said.

"The event had not even started when the rush started," police representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths taped as officers investigate the event, he said.

Viral footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people yelled for aid. A few of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, police stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes products still organized within the facilities.

As the church held a marital relationship event after the crowd was left, the agony and unhappiness remained palpable even as families and good friends gathered for wedding images.

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about precaution in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja revealed that previous consent must be gotten before such charity events are arranged.

The existing financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 pushed the regional currency to record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually resulted in mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were jailed at demonstrations requiring much better chances and jobs for youths.