ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, consisting of four kids, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the authorities stated Saturday.

The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and people to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the nation deals 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 representative Josephine Adeh stated in a declaration, 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 go into the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift products were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had been waiting since 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 stated he handled to rescue one child as his mother had a hard time in the rise.

Three individuals died in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a philanthropist, the state police said.

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

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people yelled for aid. A few of the hurt have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, authorities said.

The church canceled the charity occasion with bags of rice and clothing items still organized within the properties.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the misery and unhappiness remained palpable even as families and friends gathered for wedding images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his compassion with the victims' households and asked states and relevant authorities to implement strict crowd control procedures.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about safety procedures in such events. Several kids were eliminated on Wednesday this week when a regional structure organized a well-attended funfair to disperse gift items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the newest disaster, the police in Abuja announced that prior authorization should be acquired before such charity occasions are arranged.

The current financial difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "restored 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 actually pressed the local currency to tape low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually led to mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and numerous others were jailed at demonstrations requiring better opportunities and tasks for youths.