ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including 4 kids, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the police 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 local organizations, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the country has a hard time with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten people were killed in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding 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 gift products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The method they were hurrying to go into, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one child as his mom had a hard time in the rise.

Three people died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser arranged by a benefactor, the state police stated.

"The occasion had actually not even started when the rush began," cops representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths recorded as officers examine the incident, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people yelled for aid. Some of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get treatment, cops stated.

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

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and unhappiness remained palpable even as households and buddies gathered for wedding event photos.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and pertinent authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised concerns about precaution in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local structure organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most current catastrophe, the cops in Abuja announced that previous approval needs to be gotten before such charity occasions are arranged.

The existing economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "renewed hope" when he was sworn into in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s financial policies that have pushed the local currency to record 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 arrested at protests requiring better opportunities and jobs for youths.