ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including 4 kids, were killed in 2 separate stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to gather food and clothing items distributed at yearly Christmas events, the authorities said Saturday.

The 2 mishaps came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing trend by regional organizations, churches and people to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation battles 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, cops representative Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, explaining that some had been waiting since the previous night.
bet9ja.com
"The method they were hurrying 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 people died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a benefactor, the state cops stated.

"The event had actually not even started when the rush started," police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There might be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the event, he stated.

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals screamed for help. A few of the injured have actually been dealt with and discharged while others continue to get medical care, police stated.

The church canceled the fundraiser with bags of rice and clothes products still set up within the facilities.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the misery and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and friends gathered for wedding pictures.
bit.ly
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and appropriate authorities to enforce strict crowd control procedures.

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

After the most current disaster, the cops in Abuja revealed that prior permission needs to be gotten before such charity events are organized.
bit.ly
The present financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "restored hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the federal government ´ s financial policies that have actually pushed the local 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, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were arrested at demonstrations demanding much better opportunities and tasks for young individuals.