ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of 4 kids, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to collect food and clothes products distributed at yearly Christmas events, the police said Saturday.

The two mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, in the middle of a growing pattern by local companies, churches and individuals to organize charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the nation battles 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, cops spokesperson Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd rise at one of the church gates, as lots tried to get in the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, explaining 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 infant as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three individuals died in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a benefactor, the state authorities said.

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

Viral video that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people screamed for aid. A few of the hurt have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to get medical care, police said.

The church canceled the fundraiser 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 agony and sadness stayed palpable even as households and friends gathered for wedding images.

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about security steps in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday today when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to distribute gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the cops in Abuja announced that previous consent should be acquired before such charity drive are arranged.

The present economic hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 financial policies that have pushed the local currency to tape 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 jailed at protests demanding much better opportunities and tasks for young individuals.