ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 individuals, including 4 children, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds gathered to collect food and clothing products dispersed at yearly Christmas events, the police said Saturday.
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The two accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, in the middle of a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and individuals to arrange charity occasions ahead of Christmas, as the country fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
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Ten people were killed in the very first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, police spokesman 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 dozens tried to go into the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The method they were rushing to go into, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one baby as his mom struggled in the rise.

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

"The event had not even begun when the rush started," cops spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths tape-recorded as officers investigate the occurrence, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies lying on the ground as people screamed for help. A few of the hurt have been treated and discharged while others continue to get medical care, cops stated.

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

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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy 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 measures in such occasions. Several children were killed on Wednesday today when a local structure organized a well-attended funfair to distribute present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that prior permission should be acquired before such fundraiser are organized.
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The current financial under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 federal government ´ s economic policies that have pushed the local currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass demonstrations in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were jailed at demonstrations requiring much better opportunities and jobs for youths.