ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - A minimum of 13 individuals, including 4 children, were eliminated in two different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothing items distributed at annual Christmas occasions, the cops said Saturday.

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

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens attempted to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before the present products were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had actually been waiting because the previous night.

"The way they were hurrying to go into, some individuals were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one child as his mother had a hard time in the rise.

Three individuals died in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a fundraiser organized by a benefactor, the state authorities stated.

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

Viral video that appeared to be from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies resting on the ground as individuals shouted for help. Some of the hurt have actually been treated and released while others continue to receive medical care, cops stated.

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

As the church held a marriage event after the crowd was evacuated, the agony and sadness stayed palpable even as households and friends gathered for wedding pictures.

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

The recent stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised concerns about precaution in such events. Several kids were killed on Wednesday this week when a regional structure organized a well-attended funfair to disperse present items and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the most recent catastrophe, the police in Abuja announced that prior authorization must be obtained before such fundraiser are arranged.

The existing financial hardship under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who guaranteed "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 economic policies that have pushed the local currency to tape-record low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has actually caused mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 individuals were shot dead and hundreds of others were detained at protests requiring better chances and jobs for young individuals.