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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 people, consisting of 4 children, were killed in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to gather food and clothing products dispersed at yearly Christmas events, the police stated Saturday.
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The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amid a growing trend by regional companies, churches and individuals to arrange charity drive ahead of Christmas, as the country fights with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

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, authorities spokesman Josephine Adeh said in a declaration, including that more than 1,000 people have actually been evacuated from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to get in 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 way they were rushing to go into, some people were falling and some of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang stated he managed to rescue one infant as his mother struggled in the rise.

Three individuals passed away in a comparable crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity drive organized by a benefactor, the state cops stated.

"The occasion had actually not even begun when the rush started," authorities spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga stated. There could be more deaths taped as officers examine the event, he stated.

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene revealed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals screamed for help. Some of the hurt have actually been treated and discharged while others continue to receive healthcare, authorities stated.

The church canceled the with bags of rice and clothes products still organized within the facilities.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was evacuated, the pain and sadness remained palpable even as families and friends collected for wedding event images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his compassion with the victims' families and asked states and relevant authorities to impose stringent crowd control steps.

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about precaution in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday today when a local foundation organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the police in Abuja revealed that prior approval needs to be acquired before such charity drive are arranged.
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The current economic difficulty under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "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 federal government ´ s financial policies that have actually pushed the local currency to record low against 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 detained at demonstrations requiring better chances and jobs for youths.