ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, consisting of 4 kids, were eliminated in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes items dispersed at yearly Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populated nation, amidst a growing trend by local organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity events ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals 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, cops spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a statement, adding that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to get in the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present items were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting considering that the previous night.

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

Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion organized by a benefactor, the state cops stated.

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

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people shouted for aid. A few of the hurt have been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive medical care, police stated.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothes products still set up within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the agony and sadness remained palpable even as households and buddies collected for wedding event images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and pertinent authorities to implement stringent crowd control steps.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety steps in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a local 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 revealed that previous consent should be acquired before such fundraiser are organized.

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

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to mass protests in recent months. In August, a minimum of 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were arrested at protests requiring better opportunities and tasks for young people.