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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, including 4 kids, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as big crowds collected to gather food and clothing items dispersed at yearly Christmas events, the cops stated Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such in Africa ´ s most populous country, in the middle of a growing pattern by regional organizations, churches and people to organize charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country has problem with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals 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, authorities spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a statement, including that more than 1,000 individuals have actually been left from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots tried to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses stated, pointing out that some had actually been waiting considering that the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to get in, some individuals were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to save one infant as his mom had a hard time in the surge.

Three individuals passed away in a similar crush later in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity event organized by a benefactor, the state cops said.

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

Viral footage that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as people shouted for aid. A few of the injured have been dealt with and released while others continue to get medical care, cops said.

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

As the church held a marital relationship ceremony after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and unhappiness stayed palpable even as households and friends gathered for wedding images.

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

The current stampedes in Nigeria have raised questions about precaution in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to distribute present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current disaster, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior approval should be gotten before such charity occasions are arranged.

The existing economic difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "renewed hope" when he was sworn into workplace 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 regional currency to tape low against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in mass protests in current months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were detained at protests demanding much better chances and jobs for young individuals.