ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including 4 children, were killed in two separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothing products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amid a growing trend by local companies, churches and individuals to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country 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 representative Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried to get in the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting because the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to go into, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one baby as his mother 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 police stated.

"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush began," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the event, he said.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals shouted for aid. A few of the injured have been treated and discharged while others continue to receive treatment, cops stated.

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

As the church held a marriage ceremony after the crowd was left, the agony and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and pals gathered for wedding photos.

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday today when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that previous consent must be obtained before such charity events are arranged.

The present economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who promised "renewed hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s financial policies that have actually pressed the regional currency to record low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass protests in current months. In August, a minimum of 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were arrested at demonstrations requiring much better chances and jobs for youths.