ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including four children, were killed in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothes items distributed at yearly Christmas occasions, the cops said Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous country, amidst a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and individuals to arrange fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation has problem 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 spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been left from the church.

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

"The method they were rushing to go into, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one infant as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive arranged by a philanthropist, the state cops stated.

"The occasion had not even started when the rush started," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the incident, he said.

Viral video that appeared to be from the revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as individuals yelled for help. Some of the injured have actually been treated and released while others continue to receive healthcare, authorities said.

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

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the misery and sadness remained palpable even as friends and families collected for wedding photos.

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

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

After the latest disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior authorization must be gotten before such charity events are organized.

The present economic difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "restored 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 tape-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 numerous others were detained at protests demanding better chances and jobs for young people.