ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of four children, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothing products dispersed at yearly Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing pattern by local organizations, churches and people to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals were eliminated in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 people have actually been left from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to go into the properties at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, mentioning that some had been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to enter, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he handled to rescue one child as his mom struggled in the surge.

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 authorities stated.

"The occasion had not even begun when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths taped as officers examine the event, he said.

Viral video footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals screamed for assistance. Some of the hurt have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, authorities said.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothing items still set up within the facilities.

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and good friends gathered for wedding event pictures.

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

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about safety steps in such occasions. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the newest disaster, the police in Abuja revealed that previous approval must be gotten before such charity occasions are organized.

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

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually caused mass protests in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at protests requiring much better chances and tasks for young people.